Nimbochromis Polystigma

Nimbochromis Polystigma is one of five species of the Nimbochromis genus of lake Malawi, in the great rift valley system of Africa. Usually, it includes the dubious "species" N. maculimanus and N. pardalis. Some authors include N. polystigma in N. linni as a subspecies. As with all Nimbochromis this fish also plays dead on the bottom awaiting to suck in any unsuspecting young fish.

Occurring throughout the lake, Nimbochromis polystigma is a piscivorous fish, often preying upon juvenile cichlids. The local name for the fish is Kaligono, meaning 'sleeper' in the chiChewa language. It shares this name with other Nimbochromis species due to their hunting technique, which involves lying motionless on the bottom, sometimes on its side as if feigning death, until small fish approach to investigate, then pouncing on the prey. When hunting this way their colour will fade, apparently as the whiter colour attracts more small cichlids. They will also sometimes launch ambush attacks on small fish from the cover of vegetation, with their colouration acting as disruptive camouflage. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids, Nimbochromis polystigma is a mouthbrooder, with the female carrying her young in her mouth for two to three weeks before being released.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Nimbochromis Polystigma

Photograph © Copyright Carsten K. Larsen used with Permission