Protomelas taeniolatus (Trewavas, 1935)
Spindle hap
photo by Reclos, G.J.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  11.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi where it is widely distributed.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 31-31. Resembles P. fenestratus in form and in ecology, but differs from it in having a larger eye and consequently narrower preorbital, in the more numerous teeth in the upper jaw and on the lower pharyngeal, the higher number of gill rakers, the anterior of which, although short, are acute and well defined and in the higher modal number of dorsal spines. Differs from P. virgatus in the absence of enlarged pharyngeal teeth.
Biology:  Inhabits shallow, rocky sediment-free habitat. Feeds on 'aufwuchs' attached to rocks, but also takes small invertebrates, including zooplankton when this is abundant (Ref. 267).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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