Labidochromis vellicans Trewavas 1935

After releasing the young from her mouth for the first time, the female continues to tend them one more week.

Is usually solitary over rocky substrates (Ref. 6307). Feeds by nipping at the mat of epilithic algae. The diet consists mainly of filamentous algae of the genus Calothrix and not of small invertebrates as is generally assumed. Chironomid and centropogomid larvae, mites, ostracods and other small invertebrates comprise a small proportion of the gut contents (Ref. 4889).

aquarium: commercial

Labidochromis vellicans is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is found in areas with rocky substrates in the southern portion of the lake. This species grows to a length of 6.7 centimetres (2.6 in) SL. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.