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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Tramitichromis variabilis 'Senga Bay'
Genus: Tramitichromis
Type locality: Vua and Mwaya, Lake Malawi
Special notes: Tramitichromis is distinguished by an unusual lower pharyngeal bone: slender, elongate teeth with the longest teeth at the front, their tips bent backwards, plus a strongly down-angled anterior blade of the pharyngeal bone. In addition, the lower gill-rakers are squat and robust; the enlarged central rakers can form a grid that likely helps separate heavier sand from lighter food items during sand-sifting. The author considers the type material of T. variabilis to include at least two different species, with the true T. variabilis (sensu the chosen lectotype) collected in the southern part of Lake Malawi. A second form present in the type material is reported to occur in both the northern and southern parts of the lake and is characterized by a diagonal band of spots. Fish possibly conspecific with T. variabilis are collected in Senga Bay and exported as “Lethrinops Red Flush”; in aquarium observations of that trade form, spawning was reported on undisturbed (“virgin”) sand without the male constructing a spawning pit.

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