Cynotilapia afra (Günther, 1894)
photo by Antonutti, M.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  10.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 8 - 8.5; dH range: 15; depth range 3 - 30 m,
Distribution:  Africa: Lake Malawi, indigenous to the central and northern parts of the Lake (Ref. 5622).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7. Diagnosis: Body moderately elongated and of medium depth (Ref. 88848). Dorsal profile of body rounded; fronted profile straight; jaws isognathous; due to evisceration, body depth likely to be altered (Ref. 88848). Caudal peduncle lowering caudad, narrower point near the base of caudal fin (Ref. 88848). Description: Teeth of outer jaw rows regularly spaced, large and caniniform, decreasing abruptly from symphysis to corner of lower jaw, more progressively on upper jaw; on lower jaw, two teeth on each side of the symphysis distinctly larger than other teeth; teeth in posterior rows clearly smaller and spaced (Ref. 88848). Colouration: Body uniform, more or less dark brown, a spot on the end of the opercle and all the fins deep black (Ref. 52184, 88848).
Biology:  Found common in the upper part of the rocky biotope which is usually sediment-free (Ref. 5595). Males which are territorial mainly feed from the biocover on the rocks close to their homestead while others which are more gregarious feed on plankton (Ref. 5595).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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