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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Aulonocara stonemani 'South East Arm'.jpg Buccochromis oculatus 'South East Arm'.jpg Diplotaxodon altus 'South East Arm'.jpg Diplotaxodon apogon 'South East Arm'.jpg Diplotaxodon longimaxilla 'South East Arm' (George Turner) 01.jpg
Previous pageNext pageDiplotaxodon altus 'South East Arm'
Genus: Diplotaxodon
Type locality: Chipoka, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Offshore deep-water habitats; most frequently recorded at 40–70 m, with captures reported from 40–80 m and more rarely from 110–130 m. It is described as a midwater-feeding member of the benthic community rather than a truly pelagic species.
Geographic distribution: Described from Lake Malawi and reported as widespread in the lake, based on combined records of specimens previously referred to by multiple informal names.
Typical adult size: Type series specimens measure 137.7–162 mm standard length (about 19 cm total length for the largest type). Most examined specimens are reported as below 190 mm standard length, with an estimated maximum total length of roughly 21–22 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Females and non-reproductive individuals are described as silvery and countershaded. Breeding males develop a distinctive “white-back” (reversed countershading) pattern, with a pale (often white to yellowish) upper surface contrasting strongly with darker flanks and lower body.
Diet: Species-specific feeding observations are reported as lacking. The relatively high outer lower gill-raker count (21–26) is noted as exceeding that of clearly piscivorous deep-water congeners and as suggestive of a diet that includes a substantial planktonic component.
Breeding: No species-specific breeding behaviour is reported. As with other Diplotaxodon, it is described as a maternal mouthbrooder with a polygynandrous mating system; males in the reproductive period are described as developing conspicuous contrasting coloration and pale yellow egg spots (ocelli) on the anal fin.
Special notes: The type series was collected in 2013 using chirimila nets at 40–80 m depth, and the original description did not include fresh photographs or detailed documentation of male breeding dress. Several previously used deep-water informal forms (including Diplotaxodon sp. ‘similis white-back south’, sp. ‘deep’, and related phenotypes) are treated as conspecific with D. altus following re-examination of material and photographs. Phylogenomic data place D. altus close to Diplotaxodon sp. ‘ngulube’ and to a specimen provisionally identified as D. cf. ‘holochromis’, and material sequenced under the provisional name Diplotaxodon sp. ‘big eye white dorsal’ is treated as conspecific with D. altus.

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Photo: © George Turner
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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