Paretroplus damii Bleeker, 1868
Paretroplus damii
photo by Tourle, D.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Etroplinae
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: northwestern and far northern Madagascar (Ref. 78623).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 18-20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-16; Anal spines: 9-11; Anal soft rays: 9-12. Diagnosis: Paretroplus damii is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a triangular, black pectoral-axil patch in combination wit the absence of a series of vertical bars on the flanks; in life, unstressed individuals can easily be distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a broad, vertical pale yellow band on the anterior half of the flanks (Ref. 78623). Young P damii are unique among congeners in the possession of a dark blotch, surrounded by a hyaline ring, posteriorly on the soft dorsal fin near its base (Ref. 78623). In preservation, P. damii is the only member of Paretroplus that exhibits a solid grayish-brown to brown base colouration and the absence of vertical barring (Ref. 78623).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 24 June 2016 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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