| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
15.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Kiungululu [=Lake Chungruru], a small oligotrophic crater lake in the Rungwe Mountains in Tanzania (Ref. 54852, 118630, 118638), and probably Lake Masoko (Ref. 54852). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-11; Vertebrae: 30-30. Diagnosis: A relatively small bodied tilapia species; larger individuals were found to have large heads, thin bodies and an overall emaciated appearance, referred to as 'hunger form tilapia' (Ref. 118638). Length of head 37.6-40.5% of standard length; toothed area of lower pharyngeal with concave sides; median length of bone 1.0-1.24 times its width and 31.6-35.5% of head length; blade 1.2-1.4 times median length of toothed area; length of lower jaw 32.0-39.0% of head length; teeth of jaws in 4 or 5 rows (Ref. 2). Females and non-territorial males have grey bodies and 4-5 vertical bars; ventral region lighter; some juveniles very dark overall (Ref. 118638). Breeding males black with a thin white/orange dorsal margin (Ref. 2, 118638).
Description: High head/body ratio (Ref. 54852). Mouth extending between nostrils and eye (Ref. 1820). Teeth in 3-4 series in upper jaw (Ref. 1820, 54852), 4-5 in lower jaw (Ref. 54852). Scales cycloid (Ref. 1820), in 2-3 series on cheek (Ref. 1820, 54852). Last dorsal spine the longest; third anal spine longer than last dorsal spine; pectoral fin reaching middle or end of anal fin; pelvic fins not reaching anal fin (Ref. 1820). Caudal not densely scaled (Ref. 1820, 54852), but with small scales extending part-way along upper and lower rays (Ref. 54852). Genital papilla with 2 bunches of short branches (Ref. 2), arising from a club-shaped base (Ref. 54852). Testes broad, white and sinuous when fully ripe (Ref. 2).
Colouration: Preserved specimens: ripening males dark brown, including the fins and dorsal lappets; specimen of about 5cm with dark dorsal fin and back, and four black spots produced vertically along the middle of the flank; specimen of about 6cm pale without markings, the vertical fins faintly dusky (Ref. 54852). |
| Biology: |
The maximum reported total length is 19.5 cm (Ref. 2, 118638); the maximum standard length of 19 cm (Ref. 4967) is not correct (G.F. Turner, pers. comm.). A maternal mouthbrooder; males defend territories in shallow water, digging a pit among branches and roots of reeds (Ref. 118638). Like Oreochromis hunteri, this species appears to be confined to a single lake without an outlet (Ref. 4967). The single population of this species is probably very small and vulnerable and is likely to support a sustainable fishery; the small adult size of the species would suggest minimal potential for aquaculture (Ref. 118638). Its IUCN conservation status is critically endangered, based on risk of siltation and water level fluctuations due to drought; in addition, populations are likely to have been impacted by the stocking of the lake with Coptodon rendalli and Tilapia sparrmanii, which are both presently abundant (Ref. 118638). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 22 May 2018 (B1ab(v)+2ab(v)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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