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Protomelas similis (Regan, 1922) |
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photo by
O'Brien, S. |
| Family: | Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 18 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi; widespread in shallow vegetated areas (Ref. 267). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Vertebrae: 31-31. Differs from other species of the genus in the structure of the lower pharyngeal bone, which is somewhat inflated posteriorly, with numerous small bicuspid teeth. | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits shallow vegetated areas; feeds on macrophytes and algae (Ref. 267). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||