Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Nimbochromis: Latin, nimbus = stormy, rainy + Greek, chromis, a fish, perhaps a perch; it has dark clouded melanic blotches on the body (Ref. 45335); linni: Named in honour of Dr. Wayne Linn, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer working with the Malawi Fisheries Department (Ref. 55922).
Eponymy: Dr DeVon Wayne Linn was Chief Fisheries Officer, Malawi (1973–1975) while serving in the US Peace Corps. He was honoured as his assistance to the junior author made Axelrod’s field trip to Lake Malawi possible. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.0 - 8.5; dH range: 10 - 15; depth range 2 - 61 m (Ref. 55463). Tropical; 23°C - 25°C (Ref. 1672); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic and of widespread occurrence in Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4989)
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: shallow head with downward-directed snout and subterminal mouth; long premaxillary pedicel, >36% head length; spots on pectoral fins, and speckles on head and body present (Ref. 55922).
Inhabits the rocky (Ref. 5595, 55922) and intermediate habitats (Ref. 55922). Piscivorous; observed ambushing fish prey (Ref. 5595, 55922).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Female takes brood into her mouth and takes care of the young.
Maréchal, C., 1991. Nimbochromis. p. 296-299. 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. 4989)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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