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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Protomelas: Greek, protos = the first + Greek, melas, melanos = black (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Οικολογία
; Γλυκού νερού βενθοπελαγικό. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 13614); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to the northern and southern parts of Lake Malawi.
Μέγεθος / Βάρος / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.7 cm TL αρσενικό/απροσδιόριστο; (Ref. 4996)
Short description
Κλείδες προσδιορισμού | Μορφολογία | Μορφομετρία
Ραχιαίες άκανθες (συνολικά) : 17; Μαλακές ραχιαίες ακτίνες (συνολικά) : 10 - 11; Εδρικές άκανθες: 3; Μαλακές εδρικές ακτίνες: 9 - 11. Small to medium-sized with the plesiomorphic melanin pattern. Differs from the other species with this pattern in the higher number of gill-rakers (16-18) and in the greater emphasis of the blotches along the dorsum in the overall pattern. Differs further from P. marginatus in the more posterior position of the deepest part of the body.
Favors a sediment-free rocky habitat, where it stays in midwater about one meter away from the substrate. Is normally found just below the surface, rarely deeper than 5 m. Mostly seen at places where the rocky coast drops steeply. Feeds on invertebrates taken from the water and on insects that fall into the water (Ref. 5595).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Γεννητική Ωρίμανση | Αναπαραγωγή | Γεννοβολία | Αβγά | Γονιμότητα | Προνύμφες
Maréchal, C., 1991. Protomelas. p. 387-393. 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. 4996)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
αλιεία: Εμπορικό(ά); Ενυδρείο: Εμπορικό(ά)
Εργαλεία
Special reports
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Διαδικτυακές πηγές
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [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).
Τροφικό Επίπεδο (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.41 se; based on food items.
Ελαστικότητα (Ref.
120179): Υψηλό, ελάχιστος χρόνος για διπλασιασμό πληθυσμού < 15 μήνες (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
