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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Labidochromis mylodon 'Mumbo Island'.jpg Labidochromis mylodon 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageLabidochromis mylodon 'Thumbi West Island'
Genus: Labidochromis
Type locality: Shore of Mumbo Island, Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Rocky littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island, including shallow, wave-exposed areas with boulders, slabs, and crevices, as well as calm waters of sediment-rich bays.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi; known exclusively from the rocky littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island.
Typical adult size: Up to 9.0 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: No pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration has been documented; males tend to be larger than females.
Diet: Primarily feeds on invertebrates associated with aufwuchs, including insect larvae, ostracods, and small gastropods, with incidental ingestion of algal material.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; eggs are externally fertilized and incubated in the female’s buccal cavity for approximately three weeks before fry are released.
Aggression: Neither males nor females are territorial; aggression levels are low compared to many other mbuna species.
Special notes: Assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; characterized by a stout pharyngeal bone with molariform teeth adapted for crushing hard-shelled invertebrates.

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Photo: © Mark Smith
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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