Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
Max. size: |
11.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 40.0 g |
Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 50 - 200 m |
Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Malawi. |
Diagnosis: |
Diagnosis: relatively large eyes, long lower jaw, great predorsal distance and short dorsal fin base; long pectoral fin, often reaching past the third anal fin spine (Ref. 55949).
Description: deep-bodied; large eyes with diameter greater than snout length; prominent premaxillary pedicel; lower jaw protrudes slightly, sometimes clearly, beyond the upper jaw; mental process moderately prominent; pelvic fins short, often not reaching vent (Ref. 55949).
Coloration: females and non-breeding males silvery and countershaded; males in breeding dress darker dorsally with silver flanks, a white belly and a broad white border to the dorsal fin, tappering from front to back so that the fin appears white at the front but black at the back; pelvic and anal fins generally dark; anal fin with 1-2 large, pale yellow eggspots (Ref. 55949). |
Biology: |
Deep-water species, usually found close to the bottom on shelf areas; zooplankton feeder (Ref. 55949). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC) Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.