Red Top Williamsi

About

The Red Top Williamsi (Pseudotropheus williamsi) is a mbuna cichlid from the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi, found at scattered locations including Nkhata Bay, Likoma Island, and the southeast arm of the lake. Unlike many rock-dwelling cichlids that forage heavily on aufwuchs, this species spends a notable amount of time feeding in open water, picking off plankton, insect larvae, and other invertebrates as they drift by. While also grazing the biofilm that coats exposed rocks in the shallows. In the wild it hugs the uppermost zone of the rocky habitat, rarely venturing deeper than a couple of meters. Males develop that distinctive fiery orange-red flush along the dorsal fin that gives the fish its common name, contrasting with the blue body patterning typical of the Pseudotropheus group. Like most mbuna, this is not a fish for a passive community setup. Males are territorial and will test tankmates, so a species-appropriate Malawi setup with plenty of rockwork and sight lines broken up is the way to go. It's not a fish for complete beginners, but any keeper comfortable with the mbuna mindset, high hardness, alkaline water, and managing aggression through stocking choices, will find this a rewarding and characterful cichlid.