malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Trematocranus placodon 'Liuli'.jpg Trematocranus placodon 'Malope'.jpg Trematocranus placodon 'Mdowa'.jpg Trematocranus placodon 'Mvunguti'.jpg Trematocranus placodon 'Nkhata Bay'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTrematocranus placodon 'Mdowa'
Genus: Trematocranus
Type locality: Domira Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Shallow habitats, often on muddy substrates; frequently found in Vallisneria beds.
Geographic distribution: Widespread in shallow water around Lake Malawi; also present in the upper Shire River and Lake Malombe; recorded downstream at least to the Majete Rapids (about 15°45' S).
Typical adult size: Up to 165 mm SL (about 20 cm TL); reported maximum about 23 cm TL.
Sexual dimorphism: Males reach a larger size than females; females are reported around 20–22 cm total length.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 1000 L with a minimum tank length of 250 cm is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Emphasize an open sandy zone with extensive sand area and a few large stones to create structure and sight breaks; Vallisneria (or comparable tall planting) is described as suitable for adding cover and habitat complexity. Keeping with Mbuna is discouraged in the same source text.
Diet: A benthic feeder that takes snails and other small invertebrates; bivalves and some algal material have also been recorded from stomach contents. Thin-shelled snails are crushed using a strongly developed pharyngeal apparatus. Foraging behavior is described as hovering motionless about 30–50 cm above the substrate and picking detected prey from the top layer of soft sediment.
Breeding: A maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding males construct a bower on the lake floor (reported around 70 cm in diameter), with many bowers in somewhat muddy habitat at about 5–15 m depth; breeding males are encountered throughout the year, with a stated season from July to September.
Aggression: Described as capable of becoming very rough during courtship/spawning; the same source advises avoiding very submissive sand-dwelling species as tankmates and recommends against mixing with Mbuna.
Special notes: The species is diagnosed by a massively enlarged lower pharyngeal jaw with a central group of large, flattened teeth. Expanded sensory pores on the head are described as enabling detection of moving invertebrates (including snails) even when the fish is not close to the bottom.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Mark Thomas
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si