Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Nyassachromis leuciscus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Otopharynx lithobates 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Otopharynx sp. 'heterodon nankumba' Thumbi West Island.jpg Petrotilapia genalutea 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Petrotilapia nigra 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageOtopharynx sp. 'heterodon nankumba' Thumbi West Island
Genus: Otopharynx
Biotope: Sand areas between rocks and occasionally inside caves at depths ranging from 2–15 m.
Geographic distribution: Southern Lake Malawi around the Nankumba Peninsula, including Thumbi West Island.
Breeding: Breeding males defend shallow sand-scrape spawning sites situated between rocks or sometimes inside caves.
Special notes: May represent a large form of Otopharynx heterodon. The lectotype of O. heterodon possesses a black blotch in front of the dorsal fin, a feature also observed in this population and not seen in other forms referred to as O. heterodon. Further examination of type material from the type locality may clarify its taxonomic status.

Photo: © Ad Konings