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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Diplotaxodon sp. 'offshore'
Genus: Diplotaxodon
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi; widely distributed in deep offshore habitats from the northern basin southwards to Domira Bay, with records from central and northern regions and occasional occurrences further south.
Typical adult size: Largest recorded specimens reach about 140 mm total length. Gonadal maturation begins at approximately 110 mm total length, with most individuals mature at around 130 mm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Breeding males show a dark dorsal surface and pale belly, a largely white dorsal fin, and dark pelvic and anal fins bearing one or two large rounded white egg dummies. Females and non-breeding individuals are silvery and countershaded and cannot be reliably separated from other large-eyed Diplotaxodon without male coloration.
Diet: Stomach contents are dominated by fourth-instar larvae and pupae of Chaoborus, with smaller quantities of crustacean zooplankton and third-instar Chaoborus larvae.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder within a polygynandrous mating system. Ripe males recorded mainly from June to September at depths between 99–184 m, although ripe individuals have been collected year-round. Small juveniles occur widely in deep offshore waters.
Special notes: Distinguished from other large-eyed congeners primarily by male breeding coloration. Differs from Diplotaxodon apogon by larger maximum size and proportional characters, and from Diplotaxodon macrops by coloration and size. Genetic studies indicate reproductive isolation from other “bigeye” taxa. Most specimens have been collected at depths of 60–184 m, and the species may represent the most abundant large-eyed Diplotaxodon in offshore habitats.

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