Deep-water habitats generally below 50 m, inhabiting dimly lit
environments characteristic of the deep-water cichlid assemblage.
Geographic distribution:
Collected from the western and eastern shoreline in the central part of the
lake, including Young's Bay and Nkhotakota in Malawi and Lukoma Bay in Tanzania.
Typical adult size:
Deep-water Placidochromis species are generally small, with most remaining under
10 cm standard length.
Special notes:
Placidochromis lukomae is included in group 3 of the deep-living
Placidochromis assemblage, a group defined by species possessing 14–24 gill rakers. The
deep-water Placidochromis represent a distinct radiation characterized by vertical
melanin bars and considerable morphological diversity among species inhabiting the
depths of Lake Malawi.
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