[4] Mbuna literally means "rockdweller" and this description accurately depicts the lifestyle of these cichlids which mostly live in rocky areas.

[5] Like most cichlids from Lake Malawi, fish from this genus reproduce via maternal mouthbrooding.

The female and male generally move in an intensive circular motion while they spawn.

Eventually, the female retrieves all of her eggs and incubates them in her mouth without eating for 2–4 weeks depending on the species and the particular fish after which the fry are released.

It is usually important to keep a high population of fish in the aquaria to distribute the aggression.