Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Trematochromis: Greek, trematos = hole + Greek, chromis, = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Issue
The correct allocation to Haplochromis or Ctenochromis is pending further taxonomic studies (Ref. 57075).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.4 - 8.4; dH range: 7 - 30. Tropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 13614); 3°S - 6°S
Africa: northern part of Lake Tanganyika (Ref. 4983).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 21.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4983)
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Body deep and moderately compressed (Ref. 57075). Presence of a thick sensory canal on the six infraorbitals, with large openings that are widely separated from each other (Ref. 57075). Unicuspid outer and inner teeth on both jaws; outer teeth arranged in a single regular row; inner teeth smaller than outer teeth, arranged in three to six irregular rows on anterior part of upper jaw (Ref. 57075). Presence of 2 scale rows between upper and lower lateral lines (Ref. 57075). Scales ctenoid on flank; cheek scaled; dorsal and anal fins with scales at base; caudal fin with small scales anteriorly on fin membranes between rays; paired fins without scales (Ref. 57075). Upper lateral line high on body with 21-25 scales, lower lateral line running along body axis with 11-16 scales, two pored scales anteriorly on caudal fin (Ref. 57075).
The mouth is very protrusable which favor the idea of a planktonic diet (Ref. 7343).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Mouthbrooding by females.
van Oijen, M.J.P., J. Snoeks, P.H. Skelton, C. Maréchal and G.G. Teugels, 1991. Haplochromis. p. 100-184. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and 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. 4983)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01514 (0.00700 - 0.03275), b=2.97 (2.80 - 3.14), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (12 of 100).