| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
18 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Bia, Tano and Pra basins in southeast Côte d'Ivoire and southwest Ghana; also in Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana (Ref. 53405). Also reported from the Densu basin in Ghana (Ref. 52307). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Diagnosis: 8-12 lower gill-rakers; median outer teeth on jaws bicuspid not spatulated, lateral ones conical; inner teeth tricuspid with 3 cuspids equal in young specimens and central cuspid more developed in adults; adults with distinct occipital hump (Ref. 53405).
Description: slender or deep-bodied, depending on the population (riverine or lacustrine); frontal profile usually slightly convex; caudal fin moderately rounded to truncate (Ref. 52307). Lower pharyngeal bone as long as broad, length of toothed part 51.2-61.2% of total bone length; posterior pharyngeal teeth bicuspid, not broadened; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).
Coloration: in life: adults from rivers: bluish-green, darker on snout and occiput, with some traces of cross bars and black spot at base of every scale on sides; pectoral fins transparent; pelvics light greyish-green, lighter anteriorly; anal fin greyish-green; dorsal and caudal fins greenish- to greyish-blue, with some narrow speckled areas between rays; "tilapian" spot often located partly on spinous part of dorsal fin; distal margin of dorsal fin and upper angle of caudal fin yellow-orange (Ref. 53405). Adults from Lake Bosumtwi: more bluish-purple to blackish, darker on underside of head and body; fins bluish-grey; distal margin of dorsal fin (continuing on upper angle of caudal fin) whitish to bluish-white (Ref. 53405). Juveniles: greyish, with 8-10 cross bars and sometimes mid-lateral horizontal band; distal margin of dorsal fin red; "tilapian" spot well visible (Ref. 53405). |
| Biology: |
Adapted to living in fast-flowing rivers with rapids (Ref. 2). Pair-bonding, open substratum spawner, with both parents guarding the brood (Ref. 52307). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 January 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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