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); hennydaviesae: Named after Henny Davies, wife of Peter Davies, former exporter of aquarium fish from Malawi (Ref. 55898).
Eponymy: Henny Davies was the wife of Peter Davies, a former exporter of aquarium fish from Malawi. The couple left Malawi in the 1970s. The authors wrote that this: “…husband and wife team has made many new aquarium fishes available”. (Also see Peter Davies) (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; depth range 71 - 100 m (Ref. 55898). Tropical; 12°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the southern part of the lake.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4994)
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: lower jaw length 40.9-46.5 % head length; premaxillary pedicel 26.8-31.3 % head length; body depth 32.8-35.7 %SL; outer oral jaw teeth tricuspid; cheek depth 20.0-23.5 % head length; interorbital width 20.0-22.4 % head length; head width 41.6-44.5 % head length (Ref. 55898).
Inhabits areas with a muddy floor covered with a thick layer of sedimentary diatoms; feeds on planktonic invertebrates as well as insect larvae found in the substrate (Ref. 5595).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Placidochromis. p. 378-380. 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. 4994)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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