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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Oreochromis squamipinnis 'Chinuni'.jpg Oreochromis squamipinnis 'Gome'.jpg Oreochromis squamipinnis 'Thumbi Point'.jpg
Previous pageOreochromis squamipinnis 'Thumbi Point'
Genus: Oreochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi, Africa.
Biotope: Occurs in large lake and river systems. Breeding males recorded at depths of 16–20 m, but also observed defending territories in shallow water at 2–3 m depth.
Geographic distribution: Lakes Malawi and Malombe, and the Upper Shire River.
Typical adult size: Up to 37 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and non-breeding individuals grey with broad irregular dark vertical bars. Ripe males show a bright blue (occasionally white or green) area between the eyes; flanks and belly may be white, dark grey, or nearly black.
Diet: Feeds mainly on zooplankton and diatoms. Recorded prey include Bosmina and the diatoms Aulacoseira and Surirella. In some areas filamentous green and blue-green algae are also consumed.
Breeding: Ripe fish recorded from October to March, most abundant from December to February. Ripe males 21–35 cm total length and females 20–37 cm total length. Females may produce up to about 1100 eggs in Lake Malombe, and up to about 700 in the South East Arm. Territorial males defend breeding sites at varying depths.
Special notes: A typical “chambo” with a broad head, pale grey body, and prominent vertical bars. Large individuals have deeper bodies than other chambo species. Characterized by a broad band of jaw teeth with long flexible outer teeth separated by a gap from short, deeply embedded inner teeth.

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