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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Ctenopharynx nitidus 'Liuli'.jpg Ctenopharynx nitidus 'Liwani'.jpg Ctenopharynx nitidus 'Malopa'.jpg Ctenopharynx nitidus 'Mdowa'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCtenopharynx nitidus 'Malopa'
Genus: Ctenopharynx
Type locality: Vua, Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Biotope: Sandy and muddy bottoms; prefers shallower sandy shores but is also found at depths below 30 m.
Geographic distribution: Lake-wide distribution in Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 17 cm total length; females smaller, up to about 12 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females and typically show a bright yellow breast. Females remain smaller and less intensely coloured.
Diet: Planktivorous. Feeds on plankton just above the silty sand layer, vacuum-cleaning sediment with a large, laterally expandable mouth.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding males may become territorial and construct large sand-castles up to about 1 m in diameter and 50 cm high. Males pursue females over relatively large distances.
Aggression: Males can be strongly territorial, especially during breeding.
Special notes: Distinguished by fewer gill rakers (15–18) compared to C. intermedius and C. pictus. Many individuals show an elongate suprapectoral blotch; in some specimens the spots form an oblique, blotchy stripe.

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