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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Oreochromis lidole 'Malembo'
Genus: Oreochromis
Type locality: Shire Bar, Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).
Biotope: Large lake and river systems, including open waters. Nesting males recorded at depths of 17–28 m.
Geographic distribution: Lakes Malawi and Malombe, and the Upper Shire River.
Typical adult size: Up to 37 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Ripe males 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 dark grey with irregular vertical bars.
Diet: Feeds mainly on zooplankton and diatoms. Recorded prey include Bosmina, Aulacoseira, and Surirella, with copepods such as Diaptomus also important in some areas. Filamentous green and blue-green algae occur in the diet at certain localities.
Breeding: Ripe adults recorded from September to February. Ripe females of 24–37 cm total length produced up to about 700 eggs. Fry are brooded until at least 50 mm standard length. Males defend nests 110–308 cm in diameter at depths of 17–28 m.
Special notes: Distinguished by a large head and mouth, dark grey body coloration, and a thin band of 3–4 rows of short, deeply embedded jaw teeth arranged in clearly defined rows. The lower pharyngeal bone has a long blade and a short toothed area.

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