Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Diplotaxodon: Greek, diploos = twice + Greek, taxis = disposition + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 34 - 114 m (Ref. 55949). Tropical; 12°S - 15°S
Africa: south end of Lake Malawi (Ref. 5595, 5628).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55949)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Diagnosis: Relatively shallow body with flat dorsal profile; relatively large, upwardly-pointing mouth with strongly protruding lower jaw; large number of gill-rakers (Ref. 55949).
Found in open water at mostly deep levels, where it can form enormous shoals (Ref. 5595). It is a piscivore that mainly feeds on lake sardine, Engraulicypris sardella (Ref. 5595).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Turner, G.F., R.L. Robinson, P.W. Shaw and G.R. Carvalho, 2004. Identification and biology of Diplotaxodon, Rhamphochromis and Pallidochromis. p.198-251. In Snoeks, J. (ed.) The cichlid diversity of Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa: identification, distribution and taxonomy. Cichlid Press, El Paso, USA, 360p. (Ref. 55949)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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