Fish of Malawi

Malawi's fish are a great tourist attraction to divers and snorklers. There are more species of fish in the Rift Valley lakes than in any comparable areas of water in the world - in fact new species are discovered every year. The majority of them belong to the family known as Cichlidae and they have adapted and evolved to fit highly specific niches within the lakes. Cichlids vary in size but the most attractive are the colourful, flashing, striped and decorated fish seen to best advantage at Cape Maclear and around the islands

The local fishing industry relies on a sardine-like fish called usipa which is caught in large quantities. Visitors will see the catch on drying racks near Malawi's many fishing villages. Larger fish also swim the lake, species like mpasa (lake salmon), mudfish and catfish.