Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Melanochromis loriae 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Mylochromis anaphyrmus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Mylochromis mollis 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Nyassachromis leuciscus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Otopharynx lithobates 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMylochromis mollis 'Thumbi West Island'
Genus: Mylochromis
Type locality: Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Intermediate habitat; sandy areas with pebbles and adjacent rocky zones.
Geographic distribution: Recorded at Monkey Bay (type locality), Likoma Island, Cobwé, Gome, Luwala Reef, Chimwalani Reef, and Thumbi West Island.
Diet: Feeds by scooping small amounts of sediment which are chewed and screened for edible items, similar to Lethrinops. Likely consumes invertebrates associated with sandy substrates.
Breeding: Breeding males have been observed only sporadically. Spawning sites are rudimentary, consisting of cleaned sand adjacent to rocks. Eggs are mouthbrooded by the female.
Special notes: Distinguished by relatively thin lips that barely protrude from the snout profile. It has historically been confused with Mylochromis sp. ‘mollis likoma’ and other mollis-like forms. Appears shy in the wild and is rarely observed feeding.

Photo: © Ad Konings