| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
4.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7; dH range: 5 - 8, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower Congo River rapids in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 42510). |
| Diagnosis: |
Diagnosis: upper half of caudal fin always with alternating pattern of black and white to yellow stripes; lower half of caudal fin variable in males: uniformly violet (pale and sometimes almost transparent) across entire fin, or with many rows of red spots, or any combination of both; females always with an unmarked, clear to pale violet lower half of the caudal fin (Ref. 52307).
Description: males with elongated rays in dorsal, anal and pelvic fins, more so than females, and rays of upper portion of caudal fin may extend slightly, forming a small lappet; old males sometimes develop a small hump on their head (Ref. 52307).
Coloration: body grayish-brown in upper half and more turquoise in lower half of both sexes; dorsal fin with black margin followed by a white submargin that is always broader in females than in males; ripe females with an often extremely swollen, violet belly (Ref. 52307). |
| Biology: |
Found in large numbers in areas with slowly-flowing waters along the banks of the Congo River near Brazzaville and Kinshasa; does not seem to prefer the more rapidly-flowing parts of the river, even though Roberts & Stewart (1976) viewed it as a moderately rheophilic species (Ref. 52307). Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Cave-spawner (Ref. 52307). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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