| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
22 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: from the Ogooué River in Gabon (Ref. 81260) to the lower Congo River in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 55074, 74387, 120641), including the Nyanza in Gabon, Kouilou-Niari in Republic of Congo, and the Chiloango in Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 81260). Specimens from Pool Malebo are either this species or C. congica (Ref. 55074, 74387). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Diagnosis: 10 or fewer rakers on lower limb of first arch; unpaired fins not predominantly red-brown; mouth terminal; caudal fin densely covered with scales and with network of clear spots and lines; at least 1 row (sometimes 2) of dark spots in the middle of the body; a black sickle-shaped spot at the base of each flank scale; dorsal fin with 15-16 spines and 9-11 soft rays (total rays 24-26); anal fin with 3 spines and 7-9 soft rays; 27-29 scales in lateral line; outer row teeth relatively fine (Ref. 81260).
Description: relatively slender-bodied; mouth large; head profile of adults, especially large males, slightly concave; eyes relatively large (Ref. 52307). Head length 32.3-35.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with pointed and curved anterior teeth and straight tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 2-4 tooth rows in oral jaws, outer row teeth relatively fine, bicuspids (Ref. 81260).
Coloration: flanks yellowish white, creamy white ventrally, dark brown dorsally; flank scales with a black marking at the base; belly, throat and chest whitish in juveniles, becoming red in sexually mature specimens; 7 vertical bars, narrowing ventrally, transversed by 2 horizontal bands; where bars and bands intersect they form a series of blotches; dorsal fin greyish with some clear maculae and a well marked "tilapia spot"; caudal fin dark with numerous maculae, particularly near the distal border; anal fin very dark to black, sometimes tinted with red; pelvics with black leading edge; pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260). A black band crosses through the eye (Ref. 52307). |
| Biology: |
Pair-bonding, open (Ref. 52307) substrate brooder (Ref. 52307, 81260) with both parents guarding the brood (Ref. 52307). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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