Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Genus:	Otopharynx
Type locality:	Southeast arm, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope:	Demersal species over sandy substrates in deeper water; type series trawled at 42 m depth in the southeast arm of Lake Malawi.
Geographic distribution:	Southeast arm of Lake Malawi; recorded from trawling stations off Mazinzi and surrounding deep-water sandy areas.
Typical adult size:	Medium-sized species reaching about 20 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males larger than females and develop more intense breeding coloration; both sexes share the characteristic three-spot lateral pattern.
Diet:	Unknown; presumed benthic feeder associated with sandy substrates.
Breeding:	Not documented; as with other Malawi haplochromines, presumed maternal mouthbrooder.
Special notes:	Distinguished from all congeners by its very elongate body (depth 24.3–28.6% of standard length). Lacks dorsal midline spots present in O. lithobates. Formerly referred to as Otopharynx “productus” or O. sp. “torpedo blue” in the literature.