Gephyrochromis lawsi

Description

Gephyrochromis lawsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to the northern part of Lake Malawi in Malawi and Tanzania. This species is normally found at deep levels where the steep, rocky coastlines meet sand substrates where it prefers patches of sand at average depths of around 20 metres (66 ft). They feed mainly on loose aufwuchs. The males are weakly territorial and will defend their territories against intruderswhile the females are solitary. It may be threatened by overfishing by fishermen using beach seine nets, although it is a bycatch rather than one of the target species, it is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade. The specific name honours the Scottish missionary Robert Laws (1851-1934).