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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Copadichromis sp. 'virginalis mandalawi' Rhoades Bank.jpg 'Hemitaeniochromis' sp. 'urotaenia mandalawi' Rhoades Bank.jpg Otopharynx spelaeotes 'Rhoades Bank'.jpg Placidochromis milomo 'Rhoades Bank'.jpg Placidochromis sp. 'electra superior' Mandalawi Reef.jpg
Previous pageNext pageOtopharynx spelaeotes 'Rhoades Bank'
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Ndumbi Rocks, Likoma Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Strictly associated with rocky habitats; prefers large caves between boulders and is often recorded at depths greater than 10 m.
Geographic distribution: Northern two-thirds of Lake Malawi along both eastern and western shores; southern limits at Gome (east) and Jalo Reef near Nkhotakota (west).
Typical adult size: Males up to about 16 cm total length; females rarely exceed 12 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males larger and exhibit breeding coloration with yellow/orange ocelli on the anal fin and a blue/black dorsal fin with a very narrow white margin and orange/red lappets. Females lack distinct breeding coloration.
Diet: Scavenges material from the rocky substrate, including droppings of other fishes.
Breeding: Males maintain territories inside large caves and seldom leave them. Spawning and mouthbrooding females have not been observed.
Special notes: Distinguished from Otopharynx lithobates by a larger number of teeth in the outer row of the left lower jaw (mode 22 vs. 16), fewer gill rakers (mode 12 vs. 14), longer lower jaw, and absence of a white/orange blaze on the head and nape in males. Females of the two species cannot be distinguished by melanin pattern.

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Photo: © African Diving Ltd
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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