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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Nyassachromis sp. 'otter' Otter Island.jpg Nyassachromis sp. 'otter' Otter Point.jpg
Previous pageNyassachromis sp. 'otter' Otter Point
Genus: Nyassachromis
Biotope: Sandy habitats in the southern part of Lake Malawi, including areas with large boulders rising from the sand.
Geographic distribution: Southern part of Lake Malawi, recorded from Otter Point and Domwe Island.
Aquarium setup: Requires open sandy areas in combination with large rocks or boulders. Males transport coarse sand onto elevated rock surfaces where spawning structures are constructed.
Breeding: Males carry coarse sand onto large boulders and construct relatively small sand-castles with a horizontal spawning dish on top. The dish is carefully cleared of coarse particles, making it distinct from the surrounding substrate. Some males also construct more conventional sand-castle bowers directly on open sand.
Aggression: Territorial during the breeding period, with males defending their constructed spawning sites.
Special notes: Assignment to Nyassachromis is supported by the presence of a distinct horizontal stripe and breeding behavior. Mouthbrooding females form groups in open water near boulders rather than hiding among rocks or vegetation.

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