Placidochromis argyrogaster Hanssens, 2004

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  11.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 51 - 129 m
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi, found in Lukoma Bay (Tanzania), Nkhotakota (Malawi) and Chilola Bay (Mozambique) (Ref. 55898).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Diagnosis: lachrymal depth 24.6-27.2 % head length (Ref. 55898). Description: relatively deep-bodied; dorsal body profile strongly convex; ventral body profile almost flat; dorsal head profile slightly convex; snout profile straight; snout relatively long and pointed; cheek deep; mouth large; gape almost horizontal; ventral profile of lower jaw inclined at about 20° to horizontal; maxilla extending to vertical at anterior margin of eye; outer oral teeth small, long, slender unicuspid or sometimes shouldered bicuspid; inner oral teeth small, unicuspid or shouldered bicuspid; 2-3 series of scales on cheek; eye normal; upper margin of eye not touching dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal jaw stout; central pharyngeal teeth enlarged, molariform; gill-rakers on lower limb slender, some branched (Ref. 55898). Coloration: Preserved: Females and immature males: body pale brownish yellow; vertical bars absent or very pale; snout brown; dorsal fin pale grey with faint white submarginal band and grey tips; soft dorsal with grey oblique bands; caudal and anal fins pale; ventral fin with grey leading edge (Ref. 55898). Mature males: 7 dark vertical bars below dorsal fin; nape, snout and chin dark grey to black; dorsal fin grey with dark grey tips; soft dorsal dark grey without markings; caudal fin dark grey; anal and ventral fins with dark leading edge (Ref. 55898).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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