Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Astatotilapia: Greek, astato = unstable + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890) was a noted British explorer, linguist, author and devotee of erotica. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 8.5 - 9.0; dH range: 12 - 16; non-migratory. Tropical; 20°C - 25°C (Ref. 13371); 3°S - 9°S
Africa: Lake Tanganyika and associated rivers (Ref. 4983), including the Lukuga (up to Kisimba-Kilia rapids) connecting the lake to the upper Congo River (Ref. 53528, 93587), the Malagarazi (Ref. 54847) and the Rusizi (Ref. 87863). Also in Akagera system, where it might have been introduced (Ref. 46152).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4967); common length : 12.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 13371); common length :7 cm TL (female)
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15. Caudal peduncle 1.1 to 1.2 times as long as deep.
Inhabits slow streams, river mouths, shallow parts of lake near rivers (Ref. 4967).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Mouthbrooding by females.
van Oijen, M.J.P., J. Snoeks, P.H. Skelton, C. Maréchal and G.G. Teugels, 1991. Haplochromis. p. 100-184. 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. 4983)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5020 [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): 3.1 ±0.35 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm<1).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
