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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Stigmatochromis woodi 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Stigmatochromis woodi 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Stigmatochromis woodi 'Otter Point'.jpg
Previous pageStigmatochromis woodi 'Otter Point'
Genus: Stigmatochromis
Type locality: Domira Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Intermediate habitat and sandy habitat; juveniles and smaller fish shelter under overhanging rocks, while subadults and adults are frequently observed over open sand. Most commonly noted on sandy bottoms near rocks at about 7 m, with records down to 70 m. Breeding fish occur deeper than hunting fish, around 20–40 m.
Geographic distribution: Primarily the southern part of Lake Malawi, with only a few collection records from Mozambican waters along the central eastern coast.
Typical adult size: A total length slightly over 25 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexually active males adopt a very dark blue to black breeding coloration.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 1000 L with a minimum tank length of 250 cm is recommended.
Aquarium setup: A setup resembling a sand-running transition zone with scattered rocks is recommended. Arrange rocks to create overhangs and sheltered areas, and use the rockwork to divide the aquarium into multiple zones that are not fully line-of-sight to each other.
Diet: Piscivorous, capturing small fishes with a sudden dart from a largely stationary position and hunting very close to the substrate.
Breeding: Breeding takes place in deeper water, around 20–40 m. Males construct large, shallow spawning pits in sand and defend the breeding area. Eggs are fertilized inside the female’s mouth; brooding females move to shallower areas and release fry in the intermediate habitat after about three weeks.
Aggression: Territorial during reproduction, with males defending the breeding site against other fish.
Special notes: The species is regularly exported and bred in captivity, and may still appear in the trade under the name “Haplochromis woodi”. Populations are reported to show morphological variation; southern populations are described as having a smaller, more strongly angled mouth than northern populations.

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