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Petrotilapia genalutea is living in shallow water intermediate zones from rocks to sand. They can be found in almost entire Lake Malawi with the exception of the islands Chinyamwezi, Chinyankwazi, Chizumulu and Likoma and also not along the western coast north of the South Rukuru river which flows into the lake in the neighbourhood of Selewa. There are some geographic variants of this species which have different colors like this one. This colourless male example was caught together with this female (exposed under it) near Mbenji Island. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 16 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow a little taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 18 cm, females grow to about 14 cm. Petrotilapia genalutea can sometimes be pretty intolerant towards male conspecifics, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species together with multiple females and other mbunas in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places. In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with algae which they find on the rocks. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix. Food rich of algae like spirulina pellets or flakes is very important to them so this should not be missing on their menu. 
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