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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
Ekologi
; sötvatten bentopelagisk. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 13614); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to the northern and southern parts of Lake Malawi.
Size / Vikt / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.7 cm TL hane/ej könsbestämd; (Ref. 4996)
Short description
Bestämningsnycklar | Morfologi | Morfometri
Taggstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 17; Mjukstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 10 - 11; Taggstrålar i analfenan: 3; Mjukstrålar i analfenan: 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
Könsmognad | Reproduktion | Lek | Ägg | Fecundity | Larver
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
Fiskeri: kommersiell; Akvarium: Kommersiell
Verktyg
Special reports
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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).
Trofisk nivå (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.41 se; based on food items.
Resiliens (Ref.
120179): Hög, lägsta populationsfördubblingstid mindre än 15 månader (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
