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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx spelaeotes 'Makonde'.jpg Otopharynx spelaeotes 'Ndumbi Point'.jpg Otopharynx spelaeotes 'Rhoades Bank'.jpg
Previous pageOtopharynx spelaeotes 'Rhoades Bank'
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Ndumbi Rocks, Likoma Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Strictly associated with rocky habitats; prefers large caves between boulders and is often recorded at depths greater than 10 m.
Geographic distribution: Northern two-thirds of Lake Malawi along both eastern and western shores; southern limits at Gome (east) and Jalo Reef near Nkhotakota (west).
Typical adult size: Males up to about 16 cm total length; females rarely exceed 12 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males larger and exhibit breeding coloration with yellow/orange ocelli on the anal fin and a blue/black dorsal fin with a very narrow white margin and orange/red lappets. Females lack distinct breeding coloration.
Diet: Scavenges material from the rocky substrate, including droppings of other fishes.
Breeding: Males maintain territories inside large caves and seldom leave them. Spawning and mouthbrooding females have not been observed.
Special notes: Distinguished from Otopharynx lithobates by a larger number of teeth in the outer row of the left lower jaw (mode 22 vs. 16), fewer gill rakers (mode 12 vs. 14), longer lower jaw, and absence of a white/orange blaze on the head and nape in males. Females of the two species cannot be distinguished by melanin pattern.

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Photo: © African Diving Ltd
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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