Pharyngochromis acuticeps (Steindachner, 1866)
Zambezi bream
photo by Gratwicke, B.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Zambezi River system in Zambia, Zimbabwe (Ref. 4983, 47334, 97232) and Angola (Ref. 120641), the Save-Runde system (Ref. 47334), Kunene (Ref. 120641), Okavango and Quanza River in Angola (Ref. 47334, 120641). The types of the species are from an unknown locality in Angola (Ref. 4983, 47334).
Diagnosis:  Description: moderately deep-bodied; head and mouth large; frontal profile straight to slightly rounded, sometimes with a small interruption at eye level; caudal fin rounded to subtruncate (Ref. 52307). Coloration: body brown in both sexes, sometimes with dark vertical bars; centers of body scales reddish; iridescent greenish flush often visible in lower body parts, especially in males; in males, posterior portion of dorsal fin, along with anterior portion of caudal fin, with some reddish to brownish dots; additionally, males with several orange-outlined, yellow egg spots in anal fin (Ref. 52307).
Biology:  Very adaptive, found across varying habitats; agamous, ovophilic, maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 52307).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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