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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx styrax.jpg Otopharynx styrax 'Itungi'.jpg Otopharynx styrax 'Kambiri Point'.jpg
Next pageOtopharynx styrax (unknown locality)
Genus: Otopharynx
Type locality: Southeast arm, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Demersal species over sandy substrates in deeper water; type series trawled at 42 m depth in the southeast arm of Lake Malawi.
Geographic distribution: Southeast arm of Lake Malawi; recorded from trawling stations off Mazinzi and surrounding deep-water sandy areas.
Typical adult size: Medium-sized species reaching about 20 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males larger than females and develop more intense breeding coloration; both sexes share the characteristic three-spot lateral pattern.
Diet: Unknown; presumed benthic feeder associated with sandy substrates.
Breeding: Not documented; as with other Malawi haplochromines, presumed maternal mouthbrooder.
Special notes: Distinguished from all congeners by its very elongate body (depth 24.3–28.6% of standard length). Lacks dorsal midline spots present in O. lithobates. Formerly referred to as Otopharynx “productus” or O. sp. “torpedo blue” in the literature.

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Photo: © Jan Thoma
Photo: © Jan Thoma
Photo: © Jan Thoma
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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