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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Nimbochromis venustus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Nimbochromis venustus 'Senga Bay'.jpg Nimbochromis venustus 'Zimbawe Rock'.jpg
Previous pageNimbochromis venustus 'Zimbawe Rock'
Genus: Nimbochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi and the Shire River.
Biotope: Primarily associated with sandy substrates, most often at depths of 10–20 m, but recorded as deep as 42 m. Juveniles occur in shallow rocky areas and individuals may also be found among macrophyte beds in shallow water.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi, most frequently encountered in the southern part of the lake. Along the western shore it occurs from Kande Island to Mangochi and along the eastern shore from Makanjila Point to the Shire River, including islands except Chinyankwazi and Chinyamwezi.
Typical adult size: At least 23 cm total length.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 1000 L is recommended.
Diet: Ambush predator feeding on small fishes and invertebrates. It remains motionless after partially burying itself in sand, waiting for prey to approach. Unlike N. livingstonii, it does not lie on its side. The yellow coloration may attract juvenile cichlids.
Breeding: Breeding occurs on sandy substrates.
Special notes: Distinguished by the absence of dark spots on the pectoral fin rays and by blotches forming regular vertically elongated lozenges. Breeding males display bright green and yellow coloration. Known locally as “kaligono” (“sleeper”) because of its ambush-hunting behavior.

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