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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Rhamphochromis sp. 'longfin' South East Arm<br><font color=gray>Rhamphochromis sp. 'long-fin yellow' South East Arm</font>
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Biotope: Frequently recorded in deep-water bottom trawls and considered to be relatively benthic compared with many congeners.
Geographic distribution: Encountered mostly in the southern part of Lake Malawi; also collected at Tukombo on the central western shore.
Typical adult size: Up to about 25 cm standard length.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and non-breeding males are silver with a slightly brownish hue. Breeding males develop very long pelvic fins and intense yellow to orange coloration over much of the ventral body and fins.
Diet: Piscivorous.
Special notes: Undescribed taxon known also as “longfin yellow”. A moderately sized species with a relatively short, deep body, large head and large eyes. The mouth is large and angled upward, with long, slender, widely spaced teeth; the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. The head profile is interrupted by a prominent premaxillary pedicel and a distinct posterior angle of the lower jaw.

Breeding males are particularly striking, with extensive yellow-orange coloration and elongated pelvic fins. Species identification within Rhamphochromis remains difficult due to overlapping morphology and historical confusion among described taxa.

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