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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx sp. 'argyrosoma deep' South East Arm
Genus: Otopharynx
Biotope: Deep-water demersal species recorded at 18–70 m and commonest at 28–34 m.
Geographic distribution: Southeastern arm of Lake Malawi; particularly the trawling grounds between Monkey Bay and Boadzulu Island, with a northern record at Mpemba. Photographed at Kande Island.
Typical adult size: Maximum size about 16 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and immatures silvery with 7–8 thin vertical bars below the dorsal fin and 1–2 bars on the caudal peduncle; males silvery with a general bluish cast, with bars and spots present but faint.
Special notes: Distinguishing features include 7–8 thin vertical bars below the dorsal fin, a prominent suprapectoral spot, 11–14 gill rakers and teeth arranged in four rows. More elongate than many spotted species but deeper-bodied than O. decorus and O. ‘productus’. During survey work this form was identified as O. argyrosoma, but the examined type of O. argyrosoma is a small juvenile from an unknown locality. It has been suggested that material attributed to O. argyrosoma in surveys may represent several species, and it formed a small component of the commercial catch in the area.

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Photo: © George Turner
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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