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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Rhamphochromis longiceps.jpg Rhamphochromis longiceps 'Manda'.jpg Rhamphochromis longiceps 'Otter Point'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageRhamphochromis longiceps 'Manda'
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Type locality: Songwe, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Pelagic open water; commonly recorded in shallow vegetated inshore areas, especially when females release fry.
Geographic distribution: Lake-wide in Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Up to about 20 cm standard length (approximately 25 cm total length).
Sexual dimorphism: Males have bright orange pelvic fins and a dark blue-grey back; females and immatures show a greenish dorsal coloration.
Diet: Juveniles feed mainly on crustacean zooplankton; with growth the species shifts to piscivory, taking larvae and juveniles of small schooling fishes, especially Engraulicypris sardella (usipa).
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Ripe individuals recorded in multiple months of the year. Sexual maturity from about 109 mm SL in males and about 130 mm SL in females. Broods relatively small (approximately 52–76 eggs), egg diameter usually up to about 4 mm. Females migrate into sheltered, weedy inshore areas to release fry.
Special notes: Originally described from dried half-skins collected during the Livingstone expedition. Distinguished by relatively small, closely packed teeth and a deep cheek. For a long time frequently confused with R. macrophthalmus, as both reach similar size and share similar male breeding coloration; much historical ecological information may therefore include mixed records.

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