Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Ptychochrominae
Etymology: Ptychochromis: Greek, ptyx, = fold + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335); makira: The species is named after the region in which the type specimens were collected (Ref. 57663).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: Antainambalana River, northeastern Madagascar (Ref. 57663, 83427).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 14.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57663)
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 27. It is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of three laterosensory pore foramina on the lachrymal and a unique pigmentation pattern consisting of four distinctive V-shaped black bars on the flanks superimposed on an overall whitish base (Ref. 57663). Extremely deep-bodied and laterally compressed (Ref. 57663). It has a total of six infraorbital bones (Ref. 57663). In preservative, the ground coloration is pale creamy white to yellow, body much lighter ventrally; 4 black V-shaped bands present on flanks, which extend ventrally to lateraly midline; fins pale yellow to grayish and blackish terminally, except pectoral fins (Ref. 57663).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Although once common throughout the region of Maroansetra, Ptychochromis makira has suffered a severe decline in abundance in recent years, according to local fishermen (Ref. 57663). They report that the species is now rare (Ref. 57663).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Stiassny, M.L.J. and J.S. Sparks, 2006. Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the endemic Malagasy genus Ptychochromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with the description of five new species and a diagnosis for Katria, new genus. Am. Mus. Novit. 3535:1-55. (Ref. 57663)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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