LAKE OF STARS AQUATIC

Lake Malawi is one of the world's largest and most biodiverse, home to hundreds of species of colourful, curious endemic cichlid fishes 

- PAUL BLOOMFIELD

Island life

Likoma, the larger of the two main though still small) Malawian islands in the lake, is home to scattered communities of largely subsistence fishers. The shore alongside this village on Likoma is striped with long racks where endemic Lake Malawi sardines, known locally as usipa, are spread to dry. These endemic finger-sized fish are a major source of protein.

Net gains and losses

Fishermen haul their catch onto the shore on Likoma, separating Dimidiochromis kiwinge from writhing usipa in their net, and collecting the larger fish in buckets. It’s interesting to note that American or European aquarium hobbyists might pay 70 or 80 for each of these larger fish,” comments Michael. Yet, in Malawi, they provide much-needed food for fisherfolk who earn less than that in a month.”

Graze anatomy

Lake Malawi's cichlids have adapted to exploit hugely diverse diets. Some, such as this male zebra mbuna, have evolved flattened chisel-like teeth for efficiently scraping algae from rocks. Others predate insects, plankton or snails; some even specialise in eating the scales of other fish. "They occupy pretty much every niche in the lake's food-web," says Michael.

Water fight

Males of different Petrotilapia species battle for territory in the shallows of Masimbwe Island, a tiny outcrop south of Likoma. Male mbunas [rockfish] are highly territorial, guarding their patch fiercely,” says Michael. They then periodically dart up and dance around females to try to attract them down to mate.”

Fry and dry