Mouth Brooder Collection

Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish - spawning - female picks up eggs from scrape (nest)
AEB-2705 Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish Spawning. Female picks up eggs from scrape (nest) Astatotilapia calliptera Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish
AEB-2073 Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish Haplochromis johnstoni Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Malawi Fish - female Holding eggs in mouth
AEB-2683 MALAWI FISH Female holding eggs in mouth Melanochromis auratus Also known as the Malawi Golden Cichlid Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Lake Malawi Fish - and Fry Cichlid - A mouth brooding Cichlid
AEB-2724 Lake Malawi Fish - and Fry Cichlid A mouth brooding Cichlid Melanochrohis joanjohnsonae exasperatus Melanochromis joanjohnsonae Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal

Large-toothed cardinalfish - A species known for brooding its eggs in its mouth
VT-8876 Large-toothed cardinalfish Indonesia Cheilodipterus macrodon A species known for brooding its eggs in its mouth. It will also hide its young in its mouth

Silver Arowana / Bony-tongued Fish - Found in the Amazon River basin and Guyana where they inhabit slow moving shallow
DH-3570 Silver Arawana / arowana / Bony-tongued FISH Found in the Amazon River basin and Guyana where they inhabit slow moving shallow waters

Malawi Fish - female - collecting fry in her mouth
AEB-2719 Lake Malawi Fish - female with fry in mouth, (mouthbrooder) Melanochromis joanjohnsonae exasperatus Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Malawi Fish - mouth fighting between terratorial males. Lake Malawi, Africa
AEB-2715 LAKE MALAWI FISH - mouth fighting between territorial males Petrotilapia tridentiger Elizabeth Bomford Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Blue white labido – side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi 002962
BB-1149 Blue white labido - side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi Labidochromis caeruleus Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Livingstoni – side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi 002948
BB-1147 Livingstoni - side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi Livingstoni nimbochromis Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Ruby Red Peacock – side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi 002944
BB-1146 Ruby Red Peacock - side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi Aulonocara sp Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Taiwan reef fish – side view, tropical freshwater 002935
BB-1145 Taiwan reef fish - side view, tropical freshwater Protomelas steveni Taiwan Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Blue Peacock – side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi 002915
BB-1142 Blue Peacock - side view, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi Aulonocara sp Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Eduards Mbunda Cichlid – side view, orange morph, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi 002910
BB-1139 Eduards Mbunda Cichlid - side view, orange morph, tropical freshwater Lake Malawi Pseudotropheus socolofi Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

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"Mouth Brooders: The Fascinating Parenting Technique of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish" In the depths of Lake Malawi, a remarkable phenomenon takes place - the mouth brooding behavior of the Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish. These vibrant creatures engage in an intricate spawning ritual where the female carefully picks up her eggs from a scrape or nest and holds them in her mouth until they hatch. The maternal instincts of these Malawi Fish are truly awe-inspiring. With their mouths acting as nurseries, they protect and nurture their precious offspring until they are ready to face the world. This unique parenting strategy is not limited to just one species; even Large-toothed cardinalfish from Indonesia have been observed brooding their eggs and hiding their young within their mouths. Traveling across continents, we encounter another example of mouth brooders - the Silver Arowana or Bony-tongued Fish found in the Amazon River basin and Guyana. Inhabiting slow-moving shallow waters, these majestic creatures take on parental duties with precision. The male diligently incubates both eggs and young within his mouth for an astonishing 60 days. Back in Lake Malawi, we witness yet more captivating moments as females collect fry in their mouths, ensuring their safety during territorial disputes between males engaged in fierce mouth fighting battles. Amongst this aquatic symphony lies the Blue White Labido and Livingstoni species, showcasing stunning side views that epitomize tropical freshwater beauty. From Africa to South America, these examples highlight nature's ingenuity when it comes to reproduction strategies. Mouth brooding serves as a testament to the lengths parents will go to ensure survival for future generations – whether it be through nurturing embryos or protecting vulnerable fry within those very same lips that grant us speech. So let us marvel at these incredible adaptations displayed by our finned friends who prove that sometimes parenthood can truly be held close. . in your own mouth.