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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Astatotilapia calliptera 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Astatotilapia calliptera 'Namalenje Island'.jpg Astatotilapia calliptera 'Thumbi East Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageAstatotilapia calliptera 'Namalenje Island'
Genus: Astatotilapia
Type locality: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).
Biotope: Shallow-water habitats, especially areas with dense Vallisneria beds or reed stands. Also occurs in shallow intermediate habitats with sand and scattered rocks.
Geographic distribution: Occurs in Lake Malawi and surrounding river systems, including the Lower Zambezi, Buzi, and Lower Save drainages. Not endemic to Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Males up to 11 cm; females up to 9 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Pronounced. Adult males show strong coloration and possess 3–9 ocelli on the anal fin. Females are smaller and more cryptically colored.
Recommended aquarium size: 200 L
Aquarium setup: Sandy substrate with areas planted with Vallisneria or similar robust plants, combined with rocks that allow males to excavate burrows or tunnels.
Keep only one male per aquarium, as males are highly territorial.
Diet: Specialized feeder on snails and other hard-shelled invertebrates. Uses powerful pharyngeal jaws with large molar-like teeth to crush shells. Females and non-territorial males often forage in groups.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males dig tunnels beneath rocks or among Vallisneria roots. Spawning occurs on sand inside the male’s burrow. Eggs are incubated for about two weeks, and females guard the fry for approximately one week after release.
Aggression: Territorial, especially males. Aggression is mainly directed toward conspecific males.
Special notes: Astatotilapia calliptera is the only representative of its genus in Lake Malawi and does not closely resemble any other haplochromine in the lake. Although once considered related to the ancestor of part of the Malawi species flock, later studies indicate that river-dwelling Astatotilapia species possess unique scale characteristics not shared with Malawi endemics. Despite regular collection by fishermen in surrounding rivers, the species is currently not threatened.

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Photo: © Carsten Jensen Gissel
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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