Description: Orthochromis (Pseudocrenilabrus) machadoi is a fast‑water cichlid found only in the rocky, oxygen‑rich rapids of the Kunene River between Angola and Namibia. Adapted to strong current, it hovers over rock shelves, feeding on insect larvae, micro‑invertebrates, and biofilm. Loose groups form around productive riffles, while pairs spawn in crevices beneath stones, guarding adhesive eggs in sheltered pockets. With its restricted range and dependence on intact rapids, machadoi is vulnerable to hydrological change, making it an important representative of southern Africa’s fragile riverine biodiversity.
Category: Cichlids
Global Region: Africa
Distribution:
CARES Classification: Vulnerable
Collection Point: Cunene River
Genetic Line: F2 Second Generation
Year Acquired: 2026
These fish are descended from wild fish collected by Adrian Indermaur in the Kunene River in 2024. Mike Liu received them in November of 2025 and gifted me fry from the fish he grew out.