| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 32-33. Description: medium-sized species (Ref. 267). Dominantly unicuspid outer dentition (Ref. 55954). Differs from the other species of Protomelas in having a high occipital crest (Ref. 267).
Coloration: basic melanin pattern of the plesiomorphic form, with a general bluish color (Ref. 267). |
| Biology: |
Common at depths of about 10 m. Prefers shallow water and is usually found together with large, sand-dwelling cichlids. Opportunistic feeder that is attracted to any moving object that stirs up some sediment (Ref. 5595). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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