Morphology Data of Pelmatochromis buettikoferi
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Teugels, G.G. and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde, 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Description: body moderately deep (Ref. 52307, 53405) and compressed (Ref. 53405). Head and mouth large (Ref. 52307). Snout rounded, its dorsal profile straight or slightly convex; outer and inner jaw teeth monocuspid, pharyngeal jaw teeth bicuspid; 3 scale rows on cheeks; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405). Caudal fin slightly rounded (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: in life: light to dark brown on back, light brown on sides; belly orange-brown, throat somewhat lighter, both fins reddish during the reproduction period (Ref. 53405). Sides with 5-6 faint cross bars (Ref. 52307, 53405) depending on behavioural state (Ref. 52307). Dorsal fin orange anteriorly, lighter posteriorly, with dark orange fringe and whitish submarginal band; caudal fin light, with narrow, white fringe and narrow, light orange submarginal band; pelvics and anal fin yellow-orange; pectorals hyaline (Ref. 53405). Some body scales with iridescent margins; red and blue dots and short bars often visible on caudal and soft dorsal and anal fins; relatively large "pelmatochromis"-spot present on dorsum in both juveniles and adults, often reaching onto dorsal fin in juveniles but in a lower position in adults (Ref. 52307).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Pelmatochromis buettikoferi

Lateral Lines 2 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 26 - 29
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 6 - 9
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 13 - 15
Soft-rays total 11 - 13
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 8 - 9

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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