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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx brooksi.jpg Otopharynx brooksi 'Boadzulu Island'.jpg Otopharynx brooksi 'Makokola'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageOtopharynx brooksi 'Boadzulu Island'
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Thumbi West Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Demersal species occurring in deep water to at least 60–86 m over open sand and soft bottom, sometimes near boulders; also recorded from intermediate habitat around 35 m.
Geographic distribution: Southern Lake Malawi, including Makokola Reef in the southeastern arm, south of Boadzulu Island, and localities around the Nankumba Peninsula such as Boadzulu Island, Otter Island, Thumbi West Island and Tsano Rock.
Typical adult size: Average adult size ranges between 16–20 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Adult males are blue, females are brownish.
Diet: Gut length is approximately 140% of standard length. Individuals have been observed cruising over sand, and dentition and morphology indicate a predatory feeding mode.
Breeding: Males are territorial and defend a small spawning pit beneath a rock or sometimes between two rocks. Considered a mouthbrooder; ripe females may contain two or three batches of developing oocytes at different stages, indicating multiple spawning events within a breeding season. Females guard fry after their initial release.
Special notes: Previously known as Stigmatochromis sp. ‘modestus makokola’.

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