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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Rhamphochromis lucius 'South East Arm'.jpg Rhamphochromis sp. 'longfin' South East Arm.jpg Rhamphochromis sp. 'longiceps grey-back' South East Arm.jpg Rhamphochromis sp. 'longsnout' South East Arm.jpg Rhamphochromis sp. 'maldeco' South East Arm.jpg
Previous pageNext pageRhamphochromis macrophthalmus 'South East Arm'<br><font color=gray>Rhamphochromis sp. 'longiceps grey-back' South East Arm</font>
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Primarily pelagic; abundant in surface waters and not known to utilize sheltered lagoons or river mouths as nursery areas.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi; recorded from Chilumba Harbour, Chiofu Bay and Nkhata Bay.
Typical adult size: Maximum reported about 214 mm standard length (approximately 26 cm total length); type specimens 167–197 mm standard length.
Sexual dimorphism: Mature males develop orange pelvic and anal fins (anal fin with orange eggspots) and reach sexual maturity at about 167–197 mm standard length. Females lack the greenish dorsal cast typical of R. longiceps.
Diet: Piscivorous.
Breeding: Sexually mature males recorded at 167–197 mm standard length; no evidence that females use sheltered inshore habitats as fry nurseries.
Special notes: A relatively small, slender species with proportionally large eyes and comparatively large, widely spaced teeth. Differs from R. longiceps by having a larger eye, shallower cheek and larger dentition, and from R. esox by its less elongate body form. Previously confused with both R. longiceps and a medium-large brownish deep-water species misidentified in earlier revisions.

Molecular data demonstrate that it is not closely related to R. longiceps despite similarity in size and male breeding coloration. Reported to be very abundant in surface waters of the lake and was formerly present in the aquarium trade under the correct name.

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Photo: © Martin Genner
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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