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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Labeotropheus trewavasae 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Labidochromis joanjohnsonae 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Labidochromis mylodon 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Maylandia aurora 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Maylandia flavifemina 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageLabidochromis mylodon 'Thumbi West Island'
Genus: Labidochromis
Type locality: Shore of Mumbo Island, Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Rocky littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island, including shallow, wave-exposed areas with boulders, slabs, and crevices, as well as calm waters of sediment-rich bays.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi; known exclusively from the rocky littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island.
Typical adult size: Up to 9.0 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: No pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration has been documented; males tend to be larger than females.
Diet: Primarily feeds on invertebrates associated with aufwuchs, including insect larvae, ostracods, and small gastropods, with incidental ingestion of algal material.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; eggs are externally fertilized and incubated in the female’s buccal cavity for approximately three weeks before fry are released.
Aggression: Neither males nor females are territorial; aggression levels are low compared to many other mbuna species.
Special notes: Assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; characterized by a stout pharyngeal bone with molariform teeth adapted for crushing hard-shelled invertebrates.

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