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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Stigmatochromis woodi 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Taeniochromis holotaenia 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'mbenji blue' Mbenji Island.jpg Tropheops sp. 'mbenji yellow' Mbenji Island.jpg Tyrannochromis maculiceps 'Mbenji Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTropheops sp. 'mbenji blue' Mbenji Island
Genus: Tropheops
Biotope: Wave-washed rocky habitat as well as sediment-free rocky regions. Unlike several surge-restricted congeners, this species occupies a broader portion of the rocky biotope.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Mbenji Island in Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Approximately 10 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males defend territories above large rocks. The overall coloration of males can resemble that of Tropheops sp. ‘mbenji yellow’, but the latter is distinguished by a black submarginal band in the dorsal fin.
Diet: Feeds on biocover and filamentous algae, which are removed by jerking twists of the body while grazing from rocky surfaces.
Aggression: Males are strongly territorial and defend large rocks as their domain, chasing away intruders, especially conspecific males.
Special notes: Occurs in sympatry with Tropheops sp. ‘mbenji yellow’, which inhabits sediment-rich areas around the island. The two are distinguished by the presence of a black submarginal dorsal band in the latter. The broader habitat use of T. sp. ‘mbenji blue’ may relate to the limited number of competing Tropheops species at Mbenji Island.

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