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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Taeniolethrinops laticeps.jpg Taeniolethrinops laticeps 'Gome'.jpg Taeniolethrinops laticeps 'Nkhata Bay'.jpg
Next pageTaeniolethrinops laticeps (unknown locality)
Genus: Taeniolethrinops
Type locality: Lake Malawi
Biotope: Sandy-bottom habitats; non-breeding individuals are often encountered at about 20 m depth. Mouthbrooding females are typically found in the shallow intermediate habitat.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi, with records from the southern part of the lake and from Chizumulu Island; also recorded at Liuli in Tanzanian waters.
Typical adult size: Up to about 25 cm total length, with males reaching slightly larger sizes than females.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are a few centimeters larger than females.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 900 L and a minimum tank length of 250 cm are recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide ample open sand with fine grains so males can excavate a spawning dish. It is strongly recommended to keep no more than one adult male per aquarium.
Diet: Primarily chironomid larvae obtained by sifting sand; stomach contents have been reported to include substantial sand grains and sediment ingested with the prey.
Breeding: Breeding males excavate a deep crater used as a spawning dish, about 1.5 m in diameter and roughly 60 cm deep, recorded at 30–35 m depth (Mumbo Island and Tsano Rock). Males court females near the bower, and mouthbrooding females withdraw to the shallow intermediate habitat and continue caring for the young after first release.
Aggression: Adult males show strong territoriality, especially in association with their sand excavation and spawning area.
Special notes: Distinguished from T. praeorbitalis by a deeper, more robust body, a distinct black diagonal band, a larger mouth, and no yellow coloration. It has been confused with T. praeorbitalis in the field; both species have been recorded together while feeding.

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