Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Placidochromis: Latin, placidus = of peaceful or tranquile appearance + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335); macrognathus: Derived from the Greek "makros" = large and "gnathos" = jaw, in reference to its large mouth (Ref. 55898).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 5 - 126 m (Ref. 55898). Tropical
Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi, present in the central and southern part of the lake (Ref. 55898).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55898)
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: lower jaw length 42.3-44.9 % head length; premaxillary pedicel length 18.7-23.3 % head length; cheek depth 19.1-25.4 % head length; interorbital 50.0-56.3 % head width; body depth 32.8-35.7 %SL (Ref. 55898).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hanssens, M., 2004. The deep-water Placidochromis species. p. 104-197. In J. Snoeks (ed.) The cichlid diversity of Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa: identification, distribution and taxonomy. Cichlid Press, El Paso, USA. (Ref. 55898)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources