The Cichlids of Lake Malawi

Have just returned from a two week Earth-Touch shoot with Grant Brokensha in Lake Malawi, the purpose of which was to document the natural behaviour and amazing diversity of the cichlid fish species. Cichlids are a species of carp that have come to dominate Lake Malawi, with over 700 species endemic to the lake alone. They are a classic example of ‘Explosive Radiation”, a term coined by experts to describe their ability to evolve physically and behaviourally to take advantage of niche habitats in order to exploit a variety of food sources, typically in times when food was scarce. Grant and I experienced first hand the variety of these ncihe’s, from rocky boulders to grassy bottoms to forest like underwater landscapes, each providing a home for a different group of cichlids. To get a better sense of the expedition, and to see cichlid mouth brooding behavior, check out http://marine.earth-touch.com.