Haplochromis nubilus (Boulenger, 1906)
Blue Victoria mouthbrooder
Haplochromis nubilus
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  9.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 10 - 15; dH range: 8
Distribution:  Africa: Lake Victoria system in Uganda (Ref. 52072), Kenya (Ref. 52331) and Tanzania (Ref. 4967).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Longitudinal scale count 30-31; snout length 33.4-34.6% HL; maxilla reaching below pupil; mouth slightly prognathous; longest soft rays of dorsal and anal fins reaching well beyond base of caudal; scaleless opercular spot small; scaleless caudal rim on the suboperculum; scales on interoperculum in a single row; postorbital scale column mixed; gill rakers on upper part of ceratobranchial anvil-shaped, trifid on epibranchial; one inner tooth row in the lower jaw extending nearly as far posteriorly as outer row; caudal peduncle length 14.4-15.8% SL; and outer-row teeth in lower jaw 36-44 (Ref. 52072).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow inshore areas close to vegetation (Ref. 4983). Lake Victoria populations are largely omnivorous, larval insects and small crustaceans predominate in the diet (Ref. 558).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 March 2010 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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