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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx sp. 'spots' Chia.jpg Otopharynx sp. 'spots' Nkhomo Reef.jpg Otopharynx sp. 'spots' Sani.jpg
Next pageOtopharynx sp. 'spots' Chia
Genus: Otopharynx
Biotope: Sand and rubble of the intermediate zone and rocky shores; recorded in very shallow water at less than 5 m near Chia Lagoon and at about 20 m at Nkhomo Reef.
Geographic distribution: Nkhomo Reef and rocky shores south of Chia Lagoon, Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Up to about 9 cm total length in the wild; males in captivity may reach about 17 cm.
Diet: Feeds from the sand and behaves as an opportunistic feeder, readily attracted to disturbed material.
Breeding: Breeding males wander through the habitat and are not restricted to a territory.
Special notes: An undescribed species characterized by a distinctive arrangement of flank spots. Its placement in Otopharynx is tentative, as it could also belong to Mylochromis or Protomelas. Juveniles display the spotted pattern early in development, whereas juveniles of Mylochromis show a diagonal stripe.

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