Malawi country information

Common names: Mbuna
Occurrence: native
Salinity: freshwater
Abundance: | Ref:
Importance: | Ref:
Aquaculture: | Ref:
Regulations: | Ref:
Uses: live export: yes;
Comments: Known from Nkhata Bay, southwest and southeast arm of Lake Malawi, Kande, Ndumbi Reef, Mpanga Rocks and Mbenji Island (Ref. 55922). Exported as an aquarium fish (Ref. 5595).
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/mi.html
National Fisheries Authority: http://isp.msu.edu/AfricanStudies/Plea/mfri.htm
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Snoeks, J. and J. Manuel, 2004
National Database:

Common names from other countries

Polystigma, Gebacz wieloplamy, Vielfleckmaulbrüter, ... more

Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Teleostei (teleosts) > Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) > Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Nimbochromis: Latin, nimbus = stormy, rainy + Greek, chromis, a fish, perhaps a perch; it has dark clouded melanic blotches on the body (Ref. 45335); polystigma: Derived from the Greek "polus" ("polu-" in compound words) = many and "stigma" = mark, spot, referring to the numerous spots on the body and pectoral fins (Ref. 55922).
More on author: Regan.

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5; dH range: 10 - 18; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 76 m (Ref. 55922), usually 0 - 35 m (Ref. 55922). Tropical; 23°C - 25°C (Ref. 13371); 8°S - 15°S

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi; widespread.

Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4989)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 3-4; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Diagnosis: dark spots on pectoral fins; pattern of speckles on body and head; without conspicuous dark bars radiating from the eye; no downward-directed snout; mouth terminal; premaxillary pedicel length <34% head length (Ref. 55922).

Most common in mixed rock-sand habitats and vegetated areas (Ref. 55922). Occurs in small groups in rocky areas with beds of Vallisneria and Potamogeton (Ref. 3817). Feeds mainly on fish (Ref. 267). Hunts in pairs (Ref. 3817) or in large groups (Ref. 3817, 55922). When singly, sometimes ambushing prey by lying motionless on the substrate, but not on its side (Ref. 55922).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Female takes brood into her mouth and takes care of the young.

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator : Kullander, Sven O. | Collaborators

Maréchal, C., 1991. Nimbochromis. p. 296-299. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 4989)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)

Least Concern (LC) ; Date assessed: 20 June 2018

CITES (Ref. 128078)

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Human uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

FAO(Publication : search) | FishSource |

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Check for Aquarium maintenance | Check for Species Fact Sheets | Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Internet sources

Estimates based on models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804): PD₅₀ = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01514 (0.00700 - 0.03275), b=2.97 (2.80 - 3.14), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245).

Trophic level (Ref. 69278): 4.2 ±0.73 se; based on food items.

Resilience (Ref. 120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec<1000).

Fishing Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Low vulnerability (13 of 100).

Nimbochromis polystigma (Regan, 1922)