Stigmatochromis woodi "Otter Point"

Otter PointOT-ter POYNT (approx.)

The fish

How this cichlid is built, and everything about how it lives, eats and breeds, is shared with the species — this page doesn't repeat it.

Read the full Stigmatochromis woodi account →

Specific to Otter Point

  • Collection locality & coordinates
  • Local coloration — best judged from the living-fish photo
  • Kept as a single-provenance line, never crossed with other collection points

Care facts below are the species' — shared with Stigmatochromis woodi.

CARESNOT LISTED
Scientific size6.5 in16 cm total length
Temperature75–82 °F24–28 °C
pH7.7–8.6alkaline
Hardness (GH)slightly hardup to 214 ppm
Depth10–98 ft3–30 m
DietAmbush predator of smaller fish and invertebrates, hunting from cover near sand-rock transitions
BreedingMaternal mouthbrooderNot documented for this species
Sexual dimorphismYesMales in breeding condition are expected to show more saturated colour than females, typical of the genus; specific pattern not confidently documented here.
PhotographsSee photosGoogle Images →

The Otter Point population

Stigmatochromis woodi "Otter Point" is the Otter Point population of Stigmatochromis woodi, a geographic colour form from the Malawi coast of Lake Malawi in the southern part of the lake. It is the same species as Stigmatochromis woodi, distinguished by its collection locality and local coloration; aquarists keep and breed it as a discrete, provenance-labelled line.

Colour reference: living Otter Point fish at malawi.si

About the species

Stigmatochromis woodi is a robust, ambush-hunting cichlid from the southern reaches of Lake Malawi, part of a genus of predatory haplochromines that sit motionless near cover and strike at passing prey rather than chase it down. It occupies the sand-rock transition zone typical of the genus, relying on camouflage and stillness more than speed. Like most of the lake's predatory cichlids it is far less colourful than the showy mbuna sharing its rocky surroundings, its patterning built for concealment rather than display.

Full Stigmatochromis woodi account →

Sources

  1. malawi.si — Stigmatochromis woodi "Otter Point"
  2. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes — species search (California Academy of Sciences)
  3. Konings, A. — Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat (Cichlid Press)