Systematics.  The genus Pseudotropheus was formerly used for a variety of Lake Malawi mbuna species.  Recent revisions split the genus into three sub-genera (Pseudotropheus (Pseudotropheus), P. (Tropheops), and P. (Metriaclima) [Note:  Metriaclima -or Maylandia; depending upon which arguments you follow has been given full genus status; see Cichlid Fish of Lake Malawi or Cichlid-Forum for info. on this debate].  Pseudotropheus saulosi was described by Konings (1990) from Taiwan Reef, Lake Malawi, and belongs to the Pseudotropheus (Pseudotropheus) complex.

Natural Habitat.  P. saulosi, described from the Taiwan Reef location off the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi,  is generally grouped with the "dwarf" Pseudotropheus including: P. demasoni, P. sp. "red-top ndumbi", and P. sp. "polit" to name a few.  The habitat at Taiwan Reef is described as rocky with P. saulosi occurring at depths of 7-15 m, sometimes in large schools foraging on rocky bicover (Konings 1992)

Captive Maintenance.  A combination of mild to moderate aggression, relatively small (for mbuna) maximum adult size, and striking coloration contrast of both males and females combine to ensure this species remains a favorite in the hobby.  Juveniles and maturing adults may be housed in aquaria of 120 L (30 gallons) or less.  Adults generally require a 160 L (40 gallon) or larger aquaria.  Males will begin to obtain adult coloration at approximately 4.5 cm (1.75 in) and may be mature at 5 cm (2 in).  Females may mature at a slightly smaller size.  This species, though only moderately aggressive, is best kept in groups consisting of at least a single male to three or more females.  This group size ensures aggression is evenly distributed amongst the females.  Multiple males may be housed in the same aquaria and if fewer numbers of females are kept, having three or more males may spare aggression on the females.  Courtship and reproduction is similar to other mouthbrooding cichlids.  Fecundity generally ranges with female size from 5-25.  Hatching occurs in approximately 7 days and fry are free-swimming by day 20.  Fry will readily accept crushed flake and hatched artemia.  A curious observation has been reported by many whom have kept this species that adult females (particularly older, larger specimens) will sometimes color similarly to sub-dominant males and show pale blue and black markings.  This appearance has been suggested to be a defense mechanism to avoid being conspicuous to the dominant male when there are other sub-dominant males present or perhaps this is a signal of dominance of these particular specimens in hierarchy of females in the aquaria. 

A range of mbuna tankmates are suitable for this species including most members of the genera Labidochromis, Labeotropheus, Metriaclima, Cynotilapia, and Pseudotropheus.  Robust Malawi "Haplochromine" species may also be considered where tank size warrants, including Aulonocara jacobfreibergi and most Protomelas species.  Care should be taken to avoid species with similarly colored males/females including Ps. demasoni, and the blue/black colored variants of Metriaclima, Ps. elongatus, and Cynotilapia afra as conflicts may arise amongst these species.  

Literature Cited 

Konings, A.  1990.  Descriptions of six new Malawi cichlids.  Tropical Fish Hobbyist 38 (11): 110-129.

Konings, A.  1992.  Introducing Pseudotropheus saulosi.  Cichlid News 1(3):  11.

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