Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Placidochromis: Latin, placidus = of peaceful or tranquile appearance + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335); obscurus: From the Latin "obscurus" = dark, referring to the relatively dark melanin pattern in mature males (Ref. 55898).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 65 - 125 m (Ref. 55898). Tropical
Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi, present in the southern part of the lake (Ref. 55898).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55898)
Dorsal spines (total): 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: head length 32.3-34.5 %SL; snout length 28.5-29.5 % head length; snout blunt; lower jaw length 36.3-38.0 % head length; premaxillary pedicel length 22.5-26.3 % head length; lachrymal 16.9-20.0 % head length; 18-21 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch; predorsal distance 35.4-36.5 %SL; body depth 35.5-37.4 %SL (Ref. 55898).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hanssens, M., 2004. The deep-water Placidochromis species. p. 104-197. In J. Snoeks (ed.) The cichlid diversity of Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa: identification, distribution and taxonomy. Cichlid Press, El Paso, USA. (Ref. 55898)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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