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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Oreochromis: Latin, aurum = gold + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Hilgendorf.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Écologie
; eau douce benthopélagique. Tropical; 2°S - 3°S
Africa: known only from the catchment of Lake Natron, Tanzania and Kenya (Ref. 2, 5166, 118638).
Taille / Poids / Âge
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.6 cm TL mâle / non sexé; (Ref. 32272)
Épines dorsales (Total): 9 - 13; Rayons mous dorsaux (Total): 11-15; Épines anales 3; Rayons mous anaux: 9 - 11; Vertèbres: 27 - 30. Diagnosis: A small elongated species with a terminal mouth (Ref. 118638). Mature males have dark-edged dorsal and anal fins, iridescent blue-white spots on flanks, white lower lips, and a spotted caudal fin with a pink edge; they appear to be colour polymorphic, with some males having yellow bellies and throats, while others are blue white: both morphs can be found in the same location and the colours are stable in aquarium-held specimens, suggesting it is a true polymorphism and not related to reproductive state (Ref. 118638). Females and non-territorial males are sandy-coloured, pale ventrally, sometimes with faint vertical bars (Ref. 118638).
Occurs at a temperature range of 30-32°C (Ref. 2). It feeds actively in the early morning; mainly on algae as well as copepods and dipterous larvae (Ref. 2). A maternal mouthbrooder: males excavate pits in the substrate in shallow water (Ref. 2, 118638). The species is occasionally caught as a food fish in its natural range; although it attains a small size, its tolerance of hostile environments may make it suitable for culture in high salinity environments; potential as an aquarium fish (Ref. 118638). Classed as endangered, due to its restricted distribution (Ref. 118638).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturité | Reproduction | Frai | Œufs | Fécondité | Larves
Early in the morning before taking possession of their pits, the males feed on slimy algal growths-noisily; sexual activity is greater after noon than before; young male may build a small pit around that of a larger male and mate there with a small female (Ref. 2). Males prepare and guard nests, while females migrate from one nest to another; males guard the nest against juveniles of their own species and other species which feed on the fertilized eggs which fall from the mouth of the female mouth brooder (Ref. 11288). Also Ref. 118638.
Seegers, L. and H. Tichy, 1999. The Oreochromis alcalicus flock (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from lakes Natron and Magadi, Tanzania and Kenya, with descriptions of two new species. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 10(2):97-146. (Ref. 32272)
Statut dans la liste rouge de l'IUCN (Ref. 130435)
Menacé (EN) (B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii)); Date assessed: 31 January 2006
Menace pour l'homme
Harmless
Utilisations par l'homme
Plus d'informations
RéférencesAquacultureProfil d'aquacultureSouchesGénétiqueElectrophoresesHéritabilitéPathologiesTraitementNutrientsMass conversion
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5625 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01905 (0.00827 - 0.04391), b=3.01 (2.82 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Niveau trophique (Ref.
69278): 2.7 ±0.21 se; based on food items.
Résilience (Ref.
120179): Haut, temps minimum de doublement de population inférieur à 15 mois (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
