Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Spathodus: Greek, spathe = sword + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.2 - 8.5; dH range: 10 - 20; depth range ? - 1 m. Tropical; 25°C - 27°C (Ref. 2060); 3°S - 7°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika except the southern end.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5695)
Mostly seen in less than a foot of water, this species is found at the very edge of the pebble or rubble shoreline. Feeds by picking microorganisms from the rock biocover (Ref. 6770).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Female is mouthbrooder, but male takes care of the young as soon as they are released from the female's mouth.
Maréchal, C. and M. Poll, 1991. Spathodus. p. 458-459. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5695)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01445 (0.00674 - 0.03099), b=2.99 (2.82 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
