They are attractive because they are brightly colored and often very sexually dimorphic; like other cichlids they are not suited for beginners and for most companion tanks.

In 1997 Stauffer et al.[5] described the genus Metriaclima, dismissing the pre-existing Maylandia on the assumption that it lacked a type species and a diagnosis.

A few authors, notably Ad Konings, dispute that the original description of Maylandia is sufficient to establish and maintain the genus.

They maintain that "Maylandia" is a nomen nudum – literally, a "naked name" that does not validly refer to a group of animals as per the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

[7] In the present article, following FishBase, Catalog of Fishes and the IUCN, the genus name Maylandia is used.