Classification / Names
Populärnamn | synonymer | Catalog of Fishes(Släkte, Arter) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Haplochromis: Greek, Haploos = single + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335); molossus: Specific name derived from the Latin 'molossus' and used in apposition; it relates to the 'pug-head' habitus, i.e. flat face and broad, rounded jaws with a gentle gape inclination, of the species; pugs belong to mastiff-like dogs, also calles Molossus dogs due to their ancestral origin as dogs of Molossians, an ancient Greek tribe which got its name from Molossus, a figure in Greek mythology (Ref. 127594).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / djupintervall / distribution range
Ekologi
; sötvatten bentopelagisk. Tropical
Africa: Lake Edward system (Ref. 127594).
Size / Vikt / Age
Könsmognad: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.9 cm SL hane/ej könsbestämd; (Ref. 127594)
Short description
Bestämningsnycklar | Morfologi | Morfometri
Taggstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 15 - 16; Mjukstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 9 - 10; Taggstrålar i analfenan: 3; Mjukstrålar i analfenan: 8 - 9; Ryggkotor: 28 - 30. Diagnosis: Haplochromis molossus differs from all other known paedophagous Haplochromis within Lakes Edward and George by its broader oral jaws, 67.0-87.0% of lower jaw length vs. 42.0-72.7%, steeper snout, 45-55° vs. 10-40°, and more gentle gape inclination, 20-30° vs. 40-55° (Ref. 127594). It is similar to H. taurinus and H. gracilifur by its rounded jaws and small lachrymal bones; further distinct from H. taurinus by its smaller eyes, 29.8-33.9% of head length vs. 32.9-40.2%, and from H. gracilifur by its deeper caudal peduncle, 65.5-83.6% of caudal peduncle length vs. 62.9-66.4%, longer premaxillary pedicel, 21.6-25.8% of head length vs. 18.1-21.6%, and higher numbers of infraorbital cheek scales, 3-4 vs. 2, and lower lateral line scales, 9-14 vs. 7-9 (Ref. 127594). In addtion, it has more outer teeth in upper jaw than H. relictidens and fewer than H. paradoxus, 22-34 vs. 16-26 and 36-65, respectively; it is distinct from both by smaller lachrymal bones, 13.3-17.0% of head length vs. 15.8-18.4% and 14.7-21.5%, respectively; further separated from H. relictidens by its broadly rounded lower jaw vs. pointed lower jaw (Ref. 127594). Mature males of H. molossus have green bodies and flanks with 6-8 vertical stripes vs. different colour patterns in all other paedophages (Ref. 127594).
This species has a paedophagous diet (Ref. 127594).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Könsmognad | Reproduktion | Lek | Ägg | Fecundity | Larver
Vranken, N., M. Van Steenberge and J. Snoeks, 2019. Grasping ecological opportunities: not one but five paedophagous species of Haplochromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the Lake Edward system. Hydrobiologia 832(1):105-134. (Ref. 127594)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Verktyg
Special reports
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01445 (0.00674 - 0.03099), b=2.99 (2.82 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trofisk nivå (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resiliens (Ref.
120179): Hög, lägsta populationsfördubblingstid mindre än 15 månader (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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