malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Otopharynx sp. 'auromarginatus jakuta' Chizumulu Island'
Genus: Otopharynx
Biotope: Primarily sandy habitat; males require a small rock adjacent to the spawning site and are therefore often encountered in the intermediate habitat.
Geographic distribution: Chizumulu Island; also recorded at Ntekete and Gome on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi.
Breeding: Males construct a sand-castle spawning structure 30–40 cm high piled alongside a small rock, slanted at an angle of 30–40° to the horizontal. The spawning dish is situated close to the rock.
Special notes: The name “jakuta” means “replete” in Chi-Cheŵa. Females and non-breeding males frequently have stomachs filled with debris and plankton collected just above the sand. The flank pattern differs from Otopharynx auromarginatus by a large elongate blotch accompanied by two or three smaller spots. A form referred to as O. sp. ‘tetraspilus elongate spot’ may represent the same taxon.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si