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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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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 Rhamphochromis woodi 'South East Arm'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageRhamphochromis sp. 'longsnout' South East Arm
Genus: Rhamphochromis
Biotope: Deep-water benthic habitats, commonly over soft substrates at 40–100 m depth, especially in the southern arms of Lake Malawi.
Geographic distribution: Recorded from Lake Malawi, including deep-water habitats in the southern basin and Nkhata Bay in the north.
Typical adult size: 231–321 mm standard length; maximum about 38.5 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Breeding males show darker dorsal pigmentation and yellow-orange pelvic and anal fins, without orange on the throat, chest or dorsal fin. Females and immatures are typically brownish with strong countershading.
Diet: Piscivorous.
Special notes: Undescribed medium-sized species characterized by a relatively long, often downward-angled snout, moderately sized mouth and a deep lower jaw, sometimes with a small mental process at the tip. The upper jaw often shows a layered appearance due to a thin outer skin layer. Teeth are large, slender and needle-like. The premaxillary pedicel is generally not prominent.

Less streamlined than many congeners and lacking a horizontal midlateral stripe. Formerly confused with R. macrophthalmus in earlier revisions. Genetic data indicate separate northern (Nkhata Bay) and southern clades, suggesting possible population structuring within this benthic deep-water lineage.

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