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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas similis 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Protomelas sp. 'hertae' Thumbi West Island.jpg Protomelas sp. 'oxyrhynchus mix' Thumbi West Island.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageProtomelas sp. 'oxyrhynchus mix' Thumbi West Island
Genus: Protomelas
Biotope: Sheltered shallow bays with muddy sediment covering sand and rocks; vegetated areas with Vallisneria spiralis beds (to about 6 m depth), also non-vegetated shallow intermediate habitats.
Geographic distribution: Apparently limited to the southern part of Lake Malawi: Maleri Island, Mumbo Island, and Thumbi West Island.
Typical adult size: Largest observed male about 20 cm total length; most females and non-breeding males 14–18 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males in breeding coloration observed rarely; no clear structural differences reported. Overall body shape resembles Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus but pigmentation differs markedly.
Diet: Frequently joins foraging groups of Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus but feeds differently by ramming its head into the substrate in a vertical, head-down position to extract prey. Likely feeds on invertebrates such as insect larvae (possibly dragonfly larvae among plant roots). Thick lips probably cushion impact with the bottom.
Breeding: Poorly known. A single male in breeding coloration observed; not territorial at the time and no females nearby.
Aggression: No clear territorial behavior observed; appears non-aggressive while foraging.
Special notes: Characterized by a melanin pattern with the midlateral stripe broken into three large elongate blotches and a second interrupted dorsolateral line, unlike the three large flank spots of Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus. Often associates with schools of that species, possibly for protection against predators. May be conspecific with a form referred to as Fossorochromis sp. ‘oblique teeth’. Rare and potentially vulnerable due to its shallow-water habitat.

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