Cynotilapia afra 'Jalo Reef'

Cynotilapia afra 'Jalo Reef' is a locale-specific form of the Afra Cichlid from Jalo Reef, a rocky outcrop in the northern reaches of Lake Malawi near the Tanzanian border. Males display electric-blue flanks with three to five well-defined dark vertical bars and distinctive bright blue unpaired fins. The Jalo Reef population is noted for particularly vivid male colouration and clean barring.

Unique among mbuna, Cynotilapia afra possesses unicuspid (single-pointed) teeth rather than the bicuspid teeth typical of most mbuna — an adaptation for feeding on zooplankton in addition to Aufwuchs. This slightly different diet means they tolerate a broader range of foods. However, care, temperament, and breeding biology remain similar to typical mbuna: territorial, maternal mouthbrooding females holding for 21–28 days, and best managed in harem groups in rock-filled tanks.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 7.8–8.5, hard (GH 10–25, KH 6–15); rock-buffered or Rift Lake salt supplemented water. Tank: 200 L minimum; dense rockwork for territory; slightly more open swimming space than typical mbuna as they are midwater swimmers. Feeding: Varied diet including spirulina flake and small live or frozen zooplankton such as brine shrimp nauplii and Mysis. Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; female holds 21–28 days; isolate for fry protection. Compatibility: Relatively compatible with other mbuna; less aggressive than Metriaclima but still territorial; avoid mixing Jalo locales with other afra locales.