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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Oreochromis karongae 'Maleri Island'.jpg Oreochromis karongae 'Thundu'.jpg Oreochromis karongae 'Zimbawe Rock'.jpg
Next pageOreochromis karongae 'Maleri Island'
Genus: Oreochromis
Type locality: Karonga, near the northern end of Lake Malawi
Biotope: Occurs in large lakes and river systems, including open waters and muddy areas. Nests have been observed at depths of 0.5–28 m.
Geographic distribution: Lakes Malawi and Malombe, and the Upper Shire River.
Typical adult size: Up to 38 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Ripe males are black with a broad white margin to the dorsal and caudal fins and a white or yellow margin on the anal fin. Females and non-breeding individuals are grey with irregular vertical bars.
Diet: Feeds mainly on zooplankton and diatoms. Recorded diet components include Bosmina (cladocerans) and the diatoms Aulacoseira and Surirella. In some areas the diet includes filamentous green and blue-green algae.
Breeding: Ripe adults recorded from July to March, with two peaks around September and February in the South East Arm and a single peak from July to October in Lake Malombe. Males defend nests 25–190 cm in diameter. Females may produce up to about 1000 eggs.
Special notes: A typical Oreochromis (“chambo”) with a broad head, grey to brownish body and irregular vertical bars. Distinguished from other chambo species by bright yellow dorsal fin lappets in large specimens. Dentition varies geographically, ranging from 4–15 rows of jaw teeth.

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