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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx heterodon 'Chiwi Rock'.jpg Otopharynx heterodon 'Chizumulu Island'.jpg Otopharynx heterodon 'Cobwe'.jpg Otopharynx heterodon 'Gome Rock'.jpg Otopharynx heterodon 'Hai Reef'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageOtopharynx heterodon 'Cobwé'
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Sediment-rich transition zones adjacent to rocky shorelines, often in deeper water; spawning may take place on sand or between rocks depending on locality.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi; reported from throughout the lake.
Typical adult size: Up to about 17 cm in males and around 14 cm in females.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are light metallic blue shading into yellow and show a black stripe across the eye; three dark flank spots may be visible. Females and juveniles are silvery sand-coloured with three black spots.
Recommended aquarium size: A minimum tank length of 130 cm and a volume of 350 l are recommended.
Aquarium setup: Spacious aquarium with open swimming areas, several rock structures and shelters; fine sand mixed with some coarser substrate is suitable. Best maintained with a single male and several females.
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on edible material stirred up from bottom sediments.
Breeding: Mouthbrooder; incubation lasts about 21 days. Spawning behaviour varies by locality and may occur on sand or between rocks. Females often remain among rocks until fry are fully developed.
Aggression: Males defend territories during breeding.
Special notes: Originally described by Trewavas (1935) as Haplochromis heterodon. Distinguished from Otopharynx sp. ‘heterodon likoma’, which constructs bowers, whereas O. heterodon does not.

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