Haplochromis polli Thys van den Audenaerde, 1964
Haplochromis polli
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  9.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: lower (upstream of Luozi-Manianga) and middle (downstream of Kwamouth) Congo River basin, including Pool Malebo [= Stanley Pool], in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 82335).
Diagnosis:  Description: moderately deep-bodied; frontal profile straight; caudal fin subtruncate to rounded (Ref. 52307). Coloration: pale gray, sometimes slightly reflective; pale bluish or reddish iridescent scales or dots may be visible on body and unpaired fins of males; males also have an orange throat and 2-3 yellow or pale orange egg spots in anal fin (Ref. 52307).
Biology:  Very common within its distributional range; prefers shallow, slow-flowing zones near riverbanks; likely feeds on detritus, algae, small insects or crustaceans; agamous, ovophilic, maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 52307).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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