Lake Malawi in eastern Africa is the ninth largest lake in the world, some 600 kilometres long and up to 80 kilometres in width. It is home to a vast array of Cichlids (more than 850 species); virtually all of these species are endemic to the lake (i.e. they occur nowhere else.) Many of these Cichlids are very popular as aquarium fish, because of their lively behaviour and bright colours (often rivaling the intensity of marine fishes.) They are also very easy to care for, breed readily and are quite hardy.
