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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Rhamphochromis sp. 'grey' Nkhata Bay
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Geographic distribution: Recorded mainly from Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Usually around 27 cm standard length, occasionally up to about 32 cm standard length (approximately 40 cm total length).
Sexual dimorphism: Males become darker overall and develop orange-tinted pelvic, anal and dorsal fins.
Diet: Piscivorous.
Special notes: Undescribed species characterized by a relatively small mouth, narrow head and small closely packed teeth. Unlike many congeners it lacks strong countershading and is typically metallic silver, with darker anterior scale margins and distinct dark eye markings.

Has been suggested to correspond to the taxon previously referred to as Pallidochromis sp. ‘chicken’. Most frequently collected at Nkhata Bay, often by anglers; considered part of the ncheni group of elongate open-water predators. Species-level identification within the genus remains complex due to overlapping morphology and historical confusion of type material.

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