| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
15.4 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 60.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater; depth range 20 - 220 m, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Malawi. |
| Diagnosis: |
Diagnosis: more slender and elongate than congenerics, with smaller head, eyes and mouth; ripe males with yellow-white dorsal "blaze" (Ref. 55949).
Description: eye size variable, but diameter usually less than snout length; small, upwardly-angled protrusible mouth; long, closely-packed gill-rakers (Ref. 55949).
Coloration: body silvery, countershaded; live females and non-breeding males often exhibit a bright metallic purple sheen; males in breeding dress are dark grey to black, with a bright yellow-white dorsal blaze; maturing males dark grey dorsally, silver-grey on the flanks and pale ventrally; dorsal fin grey-white or yellow, sometimes only on the distal part of the fin, the lower part being dark grey or black; dorsal blaze white or yellow, sometimes peppered with black spots, extending from the snout to the dorsal fin, and sometimes all along the upper body surface to the caudal peduncle; caudal fin grey, sometimes with yellowish upper and lower borders; pelvic and anal fins grey, white or yellow; 1-2 large, pale eggspots on anal fin (Ref. 55949). |
| Biology: |
Found inshore and offshore, on reefs and over the shelf; abundant over the anoxic zone; female mouthbrooder (Ref. 55949). Zooplanktivorous; probably the most abundant species in Lake Malawi (Ref. 94786). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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