Michael Patrick O'Neill Photography, Inc.

A female Dimidiochromis kiwinge, retrieves her young fry, which swim into her mouth for protection. This species is just one of more than 1,000 cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi that are known as matern

A female Dimidiochromis kiwinge, retrieves her young fry, which swim into her mouth for protection. This species is just one of more than 1,000 cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi that are known as maternal mouth brooders. After fertilization, the female holds the eggs and later young in her mouth for approximately three weeks. During this period, she abstains from eating and dedicates herself to her fry until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

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Filename: MPO_Dimidiochromis_kiwinge_mouthbrooding_fry_Lake_Malawi_cichlid_Africa142.jpg
Image Size: 1000x666 / 527.9KB; www.mpostock.com; Africa Aquarium Fish Dimidiochromis kiwinge Endangered Fish Haplochromis Lake Malawi Likoma Island Malawi Rift Valley Scuba endemic fish life freshwater fry lake mbuna mouthbrooder mouthbrooding overfishing parental care scuba diving underwater life African cichlid cichlid
Contained in galleries: Lake Malawi

A female Dimidiochromis kiwinge, retrieves her young fry, which swim into her mouth for protection. This species is just one of more than 1,000 cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi that are known as maternal mouth brooders. After fertilization, the female holds the eggs and later young in her mouth for approximately three weeks. During this period, she abstains from eating and dedicates herself to her fry until they are large enough to fend for themselves.