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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Labidochromis: Greek, labidos = pair of forceps + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 13614); 9°S - 12°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the north-western coast of Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5653)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal
spines
(total): 17 - 18;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 8-9;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 7 - 8. Has similar dentition to that of L. vellicans but inner teeth unicuspid, Body is more elongated, snout shorter, and coloration different. Possesses a pattern of orange-brown horizontal stripes along flanks but different from other species in its dorsal and caudal fin markings, very dark brown coloration in males, and head shape.
Is abundant in shallow water, mainly over rocks, and occurs down to a depth of 12 m. Feeds primarily on chironomid larvae, but also feeds on trichopteran larvae, ostracods and other small invertebrates (Ref. 4889).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Labidochromis. p. 210-217. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels 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. 5653)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningSpawning aggregationFecundityEggsEgg development
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundanceBRUVS
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsElectrophoresesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingNutrientsMass conversion
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this 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 (10 of 100).