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Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Labidochromis: Greek, labidos = pair of forceps + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.5 - 8.3; depth range 1 - 6 m. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 13614); 11°S - 13°S
Africa: Endemic to Likoma and Chisumulu Islands, in east central Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.8 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5653)
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Has orange-brown or olive bar patterns on a greenish background. Distinguished from L. maculicauda in head shape, tricuspid inner teeth, fewer dorsal spines, fin markings, and male color pattern; from L. strigatus in snout shape, rounded dental arcade, tricuspid inner teeth, male color pattern; from L. textilis in snout shape, equal length of jaws, and fin markings; from L. shiranus in its shorter, less pointed snout, and fin coloration.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Occurs over rocky substrate (Ref. 6307).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Labidochromis. p. 210-217. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels 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. 5653)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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