Morphology Data of Chromidotilapia mrac
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Stiassny, M.L.J., A. Lamboj, D. De Weirdt and G.G. Teugels, 2008
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance always different morphology between mature adults
Different colors
Remarks Sexual dimorphism evident with males usually 10-15% larger than females, and with dorsal and anal rays more elongated (Ref. 81260).

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: 12-16 rakers on first gill arch; 2 large rounded to slightly elongated spots on flanks usually visible, sometimes with 1-2 small dark spots between the large ones; 2-3 rows of teeth in both jaws; lachrymal depth less than 18.2% SL (Ref. 81260). Pattern of dark blotches on body (Ref. 47112).

Description: elongate, gracile (body depth 28.7-35.0%, mean 32.6% SL); snout prominent, acute, narrow lachrymal depth (17.0-18.2%, mean 17.6% HL); predorsal profile smoothly convex; mouth moderately large, lower jaw more or less horizontally oriented (Ref. 81260). Premaxilla with 2, dentary with 2-3 rows of unicuspid teeth; lachrymal with 5 pores (Ref. 47112). Caudal peduncle relatively long, either deeper than long or longer than deep; 7-9 (median 8) tuberculate hypobranchial and ceratobranchial rakers, 3-7 (median 6) lanceolate epibranchial rakers (Ref. 81260). Dorsal fin base 49.0-54.8% SL (Ref. 47112). 1st ray of pelvic fin longest in both sexes, more so in males (Ref. 81260), with tips reaching or overlapping parts of the anal fin (Ref. 47112). Some dorsal and anal fin rays elongated, caudal rounded in both sexes; 1.5-2.5 scale rows between 8th pored scale of upper lateral line and dorsal fin base (Ref. 81260). Scales cycloid; 3 scale rows on cheek, 2 horizontal rows on operculum; dark scaleless spot on outer edge of operculum (Ref. 47112).

Coloration: body pale brown, paler ventrally; body scales in males darkly marginated; cheek, opercle and often also anterior part of body and flanks with yellow or turquoise flush (Ref. 52307, 81260). 2 rows of dark spots and blotches usually present on flanks (Ref. 47112, 523.07, 81260). 1 row of 4-5 small spots, 1st more or less at highest point of upper lateral line and others directly below dorsal fin base, 2nd row with large ovoid blotch at mid-body and another large ovoid blotch at base of caudal peduncle, some smaller spots between larger ones sometimes visible (Ref. 81260). Soft dorsal, anal and upper half of caudal in males with rows of small red maculae that are never present in females; posterior 2/3 of dorsal fin and often also upper parts of caudal fin with a yellow or silvery iridescent coloration in females (Ref. 52307, 81260). Dorsal fin and upper part of caudal with a red margin in both sexes (Ref. 81260).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Chromidotilapia mrac

Lateral Lines 2 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 24 - 29
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle 16 - 16
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 7 - 9
on upper limb 3 - 7
total 12 - 16
Vertebrae
preanal
total 24 - 27

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 13 - 15
Soft-rays total 10 - 11
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 8 - 9

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   13 - 14
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    thoracic
Spines     1
Soft-rays   5 - 5
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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