Shuja horei (Günther, 1894)
photo by de Vos, L.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  20 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Lake Tanganyika and proximate rivers (Ref. 4983, 127080); common in tributaries rivers Lukuga, Ruzizi and Nua (Ref. 4983); also in Malagarazi River (Ref. 127080). In the Lukuga River, a Lake Tanganyika outflow, known up to Kisimba-Kilia rapids (Ref. 93587).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8. Diagnosis: Head with conspicuous irregular dark marks (Ref. 4967).

Description: Dorsal fin with 14 spines and 8 rays; scales on lateral line 28, transverse scales 4/9 (Ref. 127080). Teeth bicuspid, cusps subequal, slightly tinged with brown; 28-31 each side of upper jaw outer series (Ref. 127080). Cheeks naked or few extremely thin scales; eye diameter nearly equal to depth of soft part of cheek, a little less than width of preorbital and interorbital space, which is flat (Ref. 127080). Preopercular limbs at right angle; body height less than length of head, and one third of total length (without caudal) (Ref. 127080). Last spine longest, two fifths of head length; pectoral finto, or nearly to, origin of anal fin; caudal scaleless (Ref. 127080). Scales rough, some with margins ciliated (Ref. 127080).

Colouration: Body light greenish, with incomplete brownish cross-bands on upper part of body; cheek and snout with irregular deep brown spots; soft dorsal and caudal fin with scattered ocelli; milky-white spot between last two anal rays (Ref. 127080).

Biology:  Adults inhabit inshore areas of the lake and lower reaches of rivers (Ref. 4967). Females brood their young in the mouth (Ref. 86760).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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