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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Stigmatochromis pleurospilus (holotype)
Genus: Stigmatochromis
Type locality: Lupembe sandbank, at north end of Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Transition habitats, mainly over sandy areas, with occasional use of rocky formations. A lek-like breeding aggregation on sand adjacent to a reef is described at about 25 m depth.
Geographic distribution: Historically known only from the type specimen collected at Lupembe; additional specimens were later collected at Ifungu (Kirondo), Tanzania.
Typical adult size: Males reach about 20 cm, while females attain about 16 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males grow larger than females.
Diet: Carnivorous, feeding mainly on juvenile fishes and small cichlids. In aquaria a protein-rich diet is recommended, including live or frozen foods, and prepared foods with a high protein content.
Breeding: Mouthbrooder. A harem (1 male with 2 females) or a pair (1 male with 1 female) is described as a suitable maintenance approach. A lek-breeding colony is described, with many territorial males each defending a bower on sand.
Aggression: Strongly assertive. Females may be as intolerant of each other as males, and very small tankmates may be treated as prey.
Special notes: For many years the species was known only from a single small type specimen, and it was questioned whether that type might represent a juvenile of another species. Later, two additional specimens close to adult size were collected in Tanzania.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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