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Melanochromis loriae (formerly known as Melanochromis parallelus) can be found along the rocky coast of the northwestern part of the lake and also at Chizumulu Island and Likoma Island. These examples were found in the neighbourhood of Puulu Island, in the tanzanian part of the lake. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 12 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 14 cm, females grow to about 9 cm. Melanochromis loriae can behave intolerant against equal male species, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species with multiple females and other mbuna in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places. In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with everything they can find in the material which is swirled up by other fish and anything they can find on the rocks like algae, invertebrates and plankton. They also clean up mbuna from moulds and parasites. 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 algea like spirulina pellets or flakes is very important to them so this should not be missing on their menu. 
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