Ecology Summary - Melanochromis mpoto

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Main Ref.	Konings, A.F. and J.R. Stauffer Jr., 2012
Remarks	Melanochromis mpoto is a non-specialized, non-territorial cichlid, which lives in rocky and intermediate habitats; often seen at depths of 20-40 m (Ref. 89864). It lives a predatory life but has also been seen feeding on plankton; larger specimens appear to be mainly opportunistic piscivores (Ref. 89864). Adults are usually solitary but quick to form small 'packs' of up to a dozen individuals when hunting opportunities arise; such packs can contain more than a single male in breeding colouration; these small packs move quickly through the habitat, apparently causing commotion among small prey fishes and invertebrates, and scavenging on anything that seems worth consuming (Ref. 89864).

Main Ref.

Konings, A.F. and J.R. Stauffer Jr., 2012

Remarks

Melanochromis mpoto is a non-specialized, non-territorial cichlid, which lives in rocky and intermediate habitats; often seen at depths of 20-40 m (Ref. 89864). It lives a predatory life but has also been seen feeding on plankton; larger specimens appear to be mainly opportunistic piscivores (Ref. 89864). Adults are usually solitary but quick to form small 'packs' of up to a dozen individuals when hunting opportunities arise; such packs can contain more than a single male in breeding colouration; these small packs move quickly through the habitat, apparently causing commotion among small prey fishes and invertebrates, and scavenging on anything that seems worth consuming (Ref. 89864).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Melanochromis mpoto may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	: rocky;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	Original sample		Unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items
Ref.

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