Thoracochromis buysi (Penrith, 1970)
Namib happy
Thoracochromis buysi
photo by Albering, J.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: Kunene river in Namibia (Ref. 52307, 52863) and Angola (Ref. 52307). Also present in the Cuvelai system in Namibia (Ref. 33857, 52863), but this is unconfirmed in Ref. 120641 which considers the species to be a Cunene River endemic.
Diagnosis:  Description: moderately deep-bodied; head relatively large; snout somewhat elongated compared to its congeners; frontal profile straight to slightly rounded; caudal fin subtruncate to truncate (Ref. 52307). Coloration: body pale brown in both sexes; males can have a more bluish snout and more yellowish flanks; additionally, some body scales can have red margins; some reddish maculae may be present in dorsal, caudal and anal fins of males, along with some orange egg spots in anal fin (Ref. 52307).
Biology:  Prefers sandy habitats with vegetation (Ref. 7248, 52307).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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