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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx decorus 'Ntekete'
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Vua, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Open sandy regions; usually recorded at depths between 5–30 m.
Geographic distribution: Recorded from various localities around Lake Malawi, including Mdoka, Masinje and Ntekete; may have a lake-wide distribution.
Typical adult size: Less than 14 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Breeding males obscure the characteristic flank blotches completely with breeding coloration.
Diet: Feeds on small invertebrates picked individually from the sand; the small mouth is used to select prey items after visually inspecting the substrate.
Breeding: Males gather in breeding colonies and construct sand-castle bowers spaced 3–5 m apart. Bowers have a base diameter of about 60 cm and a height of approximately 10 cm.
Special notes: Characterized by a diagonal row of three double blotches on the flank; in some specimens the blotches merge into a broad dark band. Most individuals forage alone. Individuals from the east coast population show yellow coloration on body and fins, whereas specimens from other localities are more silvery with colorless fins. Previously referred to as Mylochromis sp. ‘double spot’; later determined to be conspecific with Otopharynx decorus.

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