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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Diplotaxodon altus 'South East Arm'
Genus: Diplotaxodon
Type locality: Chipoka, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Deep offshore environments; midwater-associated species recorded mainly between 40–70 m, occasionally down to 110–130 m
Geographic distribution: Widespread in Lake Malawi; recorded from multiple regions including the southern and central parts of the lake
Typical adult size: Commonly up to about 19 cm SL; estimated maximum total length approximately 21–22 cm
Sexual dimorphism: Females and non-breeding individuals are silvery and countershaded. Breeding males develop a characteristic pale or white dorsal surface (“white-back”) contrasting with darker flanks and lower body
Diet: Unknown in detail; high gill-raker counts (21–26) suggest a diet including a substantial planktonic component rather than strict piscivory
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; species-specific spawning behavior not documented
Special notes: A large deep-water species clarified through recent genomic studies. Several previously named deep-water forms (e.g. sp. “similis white-back south”, “deep”, and related variants) are now considered conspecific with Diplotaxodon altus.

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Photo: © George Turner
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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