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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Mchenga thinos 'Nkhata Bay'.jpg Mchenga thinos 'Nkhomo Reef.jpg Mchenga thinos 'Otter Island'.jpg
Previous pageMchenga thinos 'Otter Island'
Genus: Mchenga
Type locality: Mazinzi Reef, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Shallow habitats between about 3–25 m depth, typically over sandy bottoms where males build bowers; breeding arenas may be very dense.
Geographic distribution: Lake-wide distribution is reported, representing the common Mchenga often referred to as M. eucinostomus; also recorded sympatric with M. cyclicos at Masasa Reef.
Typical adult size: Up to about 14 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and non-breeding males are silvery and bear yellow ocelli in the anal fin. Juveniles and females have hyaline fins. Breeding males lack black caudal-fin markings.
Breeding: Males defend small spawning sites on sand and construct bowers in large arenas. Territorial males are present throughout the year, with seasonal peaks of reproductive activity. Females may assemble in large schools a few meters above the bottom.
Special notes: Distinguished from M. conophoros, M. inornata, and M. cyclicos by yellow anal-fin ocelli in females and non-breeding males. Breeding males lack the black caudal-fin markings reported for breeding males of M. cyclicos and M. conophoros.

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