Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Rhamphochromis: Greek, rhamphos = bill, peak + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Regan.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; depth range 30 - 109 m (Ref. 55949), usually 50 - 100 m (Ref. 55949). Tropical; 20°C - 25°C (Ref. 13614); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 19 - ? cm
Max length : 29.8 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55949)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Diagnosis: large, big-toothed brownish species; eyes rather large; premaxillary pedicel relatively short (Ref. 55949).
Common on the shelf zone; occasionally found off reefs; but not commonly recorded from the middle of the lake (Ref. 55949). Moves in the open water but stays 2-5 m above the substrate; feeds on fish like the small Utaka and Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) (Ref. 5595).
Species probably forms breeding leks on or near the bottom; juveniles are common in the adult habitat (Ref. 55949).
Maréchal, C., 1991. Rhamphochromis. p. 422-424. 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. 5689)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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