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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas sp. 'steveni imperial' Masinje.jpg Sciaenochromis sp. 'spilostichus makanjila' Masinje.jpg Taeniolethrinops furcicauda 'Masinje'.jpg
Previous pageTaeniolethrinops furcicauda 'Masinje'
Genus: Taeniolethrinops
Type locality: Lake Malawi
Biotope: Sandy habitats, with deeper sandy bottoms described as the usual foraging area; mouthbrooding females are often encountered in shallow intermediate habitat.
Geographic distribution: Observed along the eastern shores of the lake, between central Mozambique and Luwala Reef in Malawi, including breeding leks reported from Lumessi (Mozambique) and Liwani, just south of the Nsinje River on the Malawi east coast.
Typical adult size: Males reach about 25 cm total length, while females reach about 20 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males grow larger than females.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 900 L and a minimum tank length of 250 cm are recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide extensive open areas of fine sand for foraging and bower construction, with only a few larger rock plateaus or scattered large stones. Planting is best avoided as adults dig persistently.
Diet: A sand-sifting feeder that takes insect larvae from the substrate; sand is filtered through the gills while edible material is retained.
Breeding: Lek-breeding maternal mouthbrooder. At Lumessi (Mozambique) males built bowers at about 35 m depth with diameters of at least 3 m, sometimes with neighboring bowers less than 1 m apart. A second lek was reported at Liwani in very shallow water, not much deeper than 5 m. Mouthbrooding females are frequently seen in shallow water.
Aggression: In aquaria, males are described as highly territorial for extended periods and respond more aggressively toward lookalike males; keeping a single male is recommended.
Special notes: An elongate, robust sand-sifter with a dark diagonal stripe from nape to caudal base and yellow on the snout, lower body, anal fin, and lower caudal lobe; non-breeding individuals are readily recognized by this pattern. Material attributed to this species has been described with a distinct diagonal band, while another treatment applies the name to a form lacking such a band.

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