Labeotropheus fuelleborni

Labeotropheus fuelleborni is immediately distinguished from other mbuna by the structure of its mouth: the snout projects over the mouth, and the mouth itself sits on the underside. This arrangement lets the fish hold its body parallel to the rock while scraping off the algae layer. In the hobby it is noted for its "horse-nosed" look.

It is a thick-bodied, powerful mbuna whose adult size can reach 15–18 cm. Males are blue, while females are mostly orange with black blotches (OB). It is hardy but aggressive; in the same aquarium as small mbuna it becomes dominant.

It is spread over a very wide area of Lake Malawi. It lives especially along wave-washed, very shallow and oxygen-rich rocky shores. It feeds by scraping the dense algae layer on the upper surfaces of the rocks. There are many local forms with different colors in different parts of the lake.

• Volume: at least 300 liters and 150 cm in length; it is a large and active species.
• Rockwork: Flat rocks with broad surfaces and caves between them. The rocks should sit on the bottom glass.
• Water: Hard and alkaline (pH 7.8–8.5); strong water movement and good oxygenation suit this species very well.
• Maintenance: Strong filtration and weekly 30–50% water changes.

Herbivorous. A spirulina-rich mbuna food, vegetables and nori should be the staple. Because of its underslung mouth it prefers sinking foods. Bloodworms and high-protein foods lead to Malawi bloat.

Males claim a rock surface as their own grazing ground and chase other herbivorous mbuna, especially blue ones, away from it. Females are calmer. It should be kept with sturdy species of similar size.

Good companions: mbuna of similar size such as red zebra, kenyi, auratus and bumblebee cichlid, large Synodontis catfish suited to hard water.

Avoid: Labeotropheus trewavasae (hybridization and fighting), small and calm mbuna, Aulonocara and haps, community fish, shrimp and snails.

• Harem: 1 male and 3–4 females; a single male in the aquarium is preferred.
• Two Labeotropheus species: L. fuelleborni and L. trewavasae can hybridize with each other; it is recommended not to keep them in the same aquarium.
• In a crowded mbuna aquarium with strong filtration, aggression is spread out.

A mouthbrooder. The male courts on a flat rock surface; the female picks up the eggs in her mouth and they are fertilized with the help of the egg spots on the male's anal fin. The female carries 20–40 eggs for about 3 weeks and does not eat during this time. The fry are fairly large and robust.

• Malawi bloat: protein-rich food and stress are the main causes.
• Mouth injuries: mouth locking is common during fights; permanent mouth damage can make feeding difficult.
• Lack of oxygen: in the wild it lives in highly oxygenated water; with weak water movement, rapid breathing is seen.

Males are mostly blue, sometimes with an orange dorsal fin; they have prominent yellow-orange egg spots on the anal fin and are larger. Most females are orange with irregular black blotches (OB), while some are plain brown-gray. Rare OB males and blue females can make sexing confusing.