Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Maylandia: In honour of Hans J. Mayland, German ictiologist (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Hans-Joachim Mayland (1928–2004) was a German ichthyologist, aquarist, photographer and writer. [...] John Lombardo of ‘African Fish Imports’ first brought this species to Burgess’ attention and provided the holotype. He also coined the name ‘Peacocks’ for the Aulonocara genus. (Also see Lori) (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 8.0 - ? ; dH range: 10 - 20; depth range 6 - 30 m. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060); 13°S - 14°S
Africa: Endemic to Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi. Introduced to Namalenje Island.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5684)
Inhabits the sediment-rich regions and is often found over sandy and muddy patches between rocks. Abundant in waters > 10 m (Ref. 6256). Feeds by brushing the loose algae from the rocks and also on plankton in open water (Ref. 5595). Aggressive males exhibit territoriality over sand-dug nests. Females, juveniles and non-territorial adult males occur singly or in small groups (Ref. 6256). All males have only one eggspot on the anal fin (Ref. 47814).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Females are mouthbrooders (Ref. 2060). Males adorn one eggspot on the anal fin which mimics eggs and apparently functions to lure females to pick up this egg enabling fertilization of the rest of the eggs being brooded in the females's mouth (Ref. 47814). In one experimental study, females are attracted to males with one large eggspot more than to those with numerous tiny eggs covering the same area (Ref. 47814).
Maréchal, C., 1991. Pseudotropheus. p. 401-415. 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. 5684)
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 = 0.5000 [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).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.7 ±0.29 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec<1000).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
