Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Aristochromis: Greek, aristos = the best + Greek, a marine fish without identification, dealing with perch; cited by Plinius (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr Cuthbert Christy (1863–1932) was a physician and zoologist who was particularly known for his work on sleeping sickness. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.4 - 8.4; dH range: 7 - 30; depth range 2 - 10 m. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi; widespread but uncommon.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5595)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Found mainly in places where rock and sand form an intermediate biotope. Females which are solitary like males can enter the male's territory found among rocks, and spawn (Ref. 5595). Feed on fish fry (Ref. 267). When feeding, it turns on its side to place its large, laterally compressed jaws into rocky cracks where it captures small fish that are sheltering there (Ref. 6307).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Aristochromis. p. 7. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Checklist of freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5600)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
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 = 1.0000 [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): 4.0 ±0.50 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec<1000).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (20 of 100).
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