Protomelas spilopterus (Trewavas, 1935)

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  24 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs throughout the lake.
Diagnosis:  Description: lips very thick; eyes relatively large; teeth clearly bicuspid (Ref. 55954), or stout, simple or very unequal bicuspid in outer oral jaws (Ref. 55954).
Biology:  Uncommon. Structure of mouth and pharyngeal dentition suggest that it is a paedophage (Ref. 267). Mouthbrooding by females (Ref. 53335).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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