The Livingston’s Cichlid (Nimbochromis livingstonii) is a freshwater fish in the Cichlidae family of cichlids.

The Livingston’s Cichlid is a thin fish with a large mouth. It is usually mottled brown and white. Its dorsal (back) fin often has blue colouring with an orange-red or white line. 

It grows to about 25 centimetres (10 inches). 

It is native to Lake Malawi in the country Malawi in Africa. It prefers sandy river beds.

It feeds on small fish. 

The female lays up to 100 eggs. She keeps the eggs in her mouth until they hatch. The young fish, called fry, swim close to her mouth. When there is danger, the mother sucks the fry into her mouth. She does not eat them. She is a mouthbrooder. 

Location of photographs: Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM