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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Otopharynx sp. 'argyrosoma deep' South East Arm.jpg Otopharynx speciosus 'South East Arm'.jpg Pallidochromis tokolosh 'South East Arm'.jpg Placidochromis acuticeps 'South East Arm'.jpg Placidochromis communis 'South East Arm'.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePallidochromis tokolosh 'South East Arm'
Genus: Pallidochromis
Type locality: Between Monkey Bay and Boadzulu Island, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Deep benthic environments over muddy bottom, typically at about 50–125 m depth.
Geographic distribution: Recorded infrequently in the southern part of Lake Malawi, especially in deep-water trawl samples from the southeastern arm; also reported from Nkhata Bay.
Typical adult size: Preserved material reaches at least 192 mm standard length (about 23 cm total length), while an adult of about 35 cm total length has been reported.
Sexual dimorphism: Ripe male coloration was not documented at the time of description; a specimen showing a darkened dorsum and dorsal fin has been interpreted as partial or full breeding dress.
Diet: Piscivorous. Examined stomachs were often empty, but prey remains include benthic cichlids such as Aulonocara and Lethrinops.
Special notes: A large deep-water cichlid with proportionally large eyes and a large mouth with a low-angled gape. The lower jaw is robust with a pronounced mental process, and the jaw teeth are relatively small and closely packed. Melanic markings are lacking, with only modest countershading. Phylogenomic results place it close to Diplotaxodon (sister to Diplotaxodon greenwoodi), highlighting that current generic limits in that group may require revision.

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