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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Oreochromis shiranus.jpg Oreochromis shiranus 'Chitande Island'.jpg Oreochromis shiranus 'Machili Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageOreochromis shiranus 'Chitande Island'
Genus: Oreochromis
Type locality: Upper Shire River, Malawi.
Biotope: Shallow waters in lakes, rivers, streams, and pools, generally in the vicinity of vegetation. Nests constructed in shallow water at depths of 15 cm–1.5 m.
Geographic distribution: Lakes Malawi and Malombe, the Upper Shire River, and inflowing streams and rivers. Closely related forms occur in Lakes Chilwa and Chiuta.
Typical adult size: Up to 37 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and immature individuals golden brown, darker dorsally, with two dark horizontal bars. Ripe males black with broad red margins to the dorsal and caudal fins.
Diet: Feeds on macrophytes, detritus, and both benthic and planktonic algae.
Breeding: Breeding season from September to March or April. Males dig simple crater nests 50–90 cm in diameter in shallow water. Females of 20–21 cm total length produce 520–618 eggs and brood the young until they reach about 10 mm in length.
Special notes: Deep-bodied and laterally compressed, golden brown with dark horizontal striping. Normally has four anal-fin spines, distinguishing it from other Oreochromis and haplochromine species. Widely cultured but prone to early maturation.

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