malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Placidochromis sp. 'longimanus namiasi' South East Arm.jpg Protomelas kirkii 'South East Arm'.jpg Rhamphochromis ferox 'South East Arm'.jpg Rhamphochromis lucius 'South East Arm'.jpg Rhamphochromis sp. 'longfin' South East Arm.jpg
Previous pageNext pageRhamphochromis ferox 'South East Arm'
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi
Biotope: Open water of Lake Malawi; associated with offshore pelagic habitats.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi; mainly recorded from the southern part of the lake.
Typical adult size: Up to about 285 mm standard length.
Diet: Piscivorous open-water predator adapted for rapid pursuit of prey.
Special notes: Taxonomic history complicated by confusion with R. longiceps and R. lucius; one of the types of R. longiceps represents R. ferox and vice versa. Numerous museum specimens were historically misidentified, and earlier descriptions reflect this confusion.

Not a very large species; medium-sized with relatively small, delicate jaws but comparatively large teeth. Males have orange pelvic and anal fins, lack eggspots, and show no additional orange markings. Molecular data place it in a distinct clade closely related to the Kingiri and Chilingali species.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Martin Geerts
Photo: © Martin Genner
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si