| Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| 48 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,900.0 g; max. reported age: 7 years |
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benthopelagic; freshwater, |
| Africa: Cunene River system, Okavango River, upper and middle Zambezi River, Kafue River (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe)(Ref. 7248, 52307). |
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Description: very deep-bodied; head short; frontal profile steep; caudal fin slightly rounded (Ref. 52307).
Coloration: body yellowish-brown, dorsum darker than venter; body scales with brown dot at base; front of head and back may have a pale olive flush; unpaired fins usually olive; numerous brown maculae in caudal fin and in soft dorsal and anal fins; pelvic and pectoral fins reddish (Ref. 52307). Ripe and courting males: coloration much more intense; unpaired fins and pelvic fins may appear rosy to red; maculae in fins more orange; entire body with a rosy flush, also on cheeks and opercles (Ref. 52307). |
| Prefers deep main river channels and floodplain lagoons (Ref. 7248) with sandy bottoms (Ref. 7248, 52307). Feeds primarily on snails, bivalves and insect larvae (Ref. 7248, 52307), rarely also on fish or plants (Ref. 52307). Ovophilic (Ref. 52307), female mouthbrooder (Ref. 7248, 52307), breeds in early summer (Ref. 7248). Up to 700 eggs may be laid per female and per brood; males construct shallow, rounded pits approximately 20-30 cm in diameter, preferably in regions containing vegetation (Ref. 52307). |
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Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
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