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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Lethrinops sp. 'red bar' (unknown locality)
Genus: Lethrinops
Biotope: Very probably sandy habitats. The presumed habitat is inferred from dull brown coloration typical of sand-dwelling species, but no direct habitat data are available.
Geographic distribution: Unknown. The only known specimen was imported from Tanzania together with fishes collected at several localities.
Typical adult size: The only known specimen was about 12 cm TL when imported and reached approximately 15 cm TL in the aquarium.
Sexual dimorphism: Females unknown. Females are presumed to be smaller, with shorter and less colourful fins and lacking the blue hue on the head.
Diet: Unknown in the wild. In the aquarium readily accepts all types of food and is probably at least partially detritivorous, similar to many sand-dwelling Lethrinops and Placidochromis species.
Breeding: Unknown. Almost certainly a maternal mouth-brooder, as are all advanced haplochromine cichlids.
Special notes: Known from a single living specimen. Distinguished by deep brown base coloration and absence of enlarged sensory pores on the head, separating it from sand-dwelling Aulonocara. Behaviour and overall stance differ from typical Lethrinops and suggest possible affinity with sand-dwelling Placidochromis lineages. Its closest possible relative is Placidochromis sp. ‘chinyankwazi’, from which it differs by geographic origin, darker coloration, fewer vertical bars and shorter fins.

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