Paratilapia are very common in all parts of Madagascar.
My favorite reference is the book "The Endemic Cichlids of Madagascar" by de Rham and Nourisatt, they provide care tips, maps where species are found, with excellent photos and info on many fish of the island, and not only cichlids, even terrestrial plants and animals.
Way back when, I had to order my copy from the French Cichlid Association, although I believe it may be available in the U.S. today. I believe it is a must have, for anyone really interested in Malagasy cichlids.
The pin striped damba, Paretroplus menerambo was thought to be going extinct on the island, although some new pockets have been found in remote areas. It is highly sought after as a food fish by locals, and gets quite large. It may also be falling prey to introduced exotics like the snake head. After 3 years my group were topping out at 15" in length with height to match. They need large tanks, my 150 gal was way too small, and in the end I found they did better in a 500 gallon kiddy pool.
The cichlids genus Paretroplus are quite widespread on the island though. There are a number of species, from relatively small P kieneri, to rapids dwelling rheophilles like nourisatti.
menerambo above, maculates below, they are snail eaters, and use the can-opener like teeth to extract snail flesh, they also seem to do best in shoals of 5 or 6
below pair guard eggs in my kiddy pool
