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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Astatoreochromis: Greek, astato = unstable + Greek, rheos = stream + Greek, chromis = a marine fish without identification, dealing with perch; cited by Plinius (Ref. 45335); alluaudi: Named after Charles A. Alluaud, who collected the type specimens (Ref. 126033).
More on author: Pellegrin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5; dH range: 15 - ?; depth range ? - 20 m (Ref. 126033). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 2059); 2°N - 4°S
Africa: lakes Edward, George, Kyoga, Victoria, Nakavali and Kachira, and the rivers and streams associated with these lakes, including the Semliki (Ref. 5602, 126033, 126038). It has been introduced into many areas of East Africa for biological mollusc control and now has a widespread distribution within the Victoria basin in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, including the upper Akagera basin in the Bugesera Depression in Burundi and Rwanda (Ref. 126033). Also introduced in Benue River basin in northern Cameroon (Ref. 126033). However, there are no reports that its introduction in Congo Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Central Africa and Zambia has succeeded (Ref. 126033).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 19.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4967)
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 9; Anal spines: 4 - 7; Anal soft rays: 6 - 9. Diagnosis: Astatoreochromis alluaudi can be distinguished from A. straeleni by the possession of 4-7 anal spines vs. 3-4, and 17-19 dorsal spines, rarely 16 or 20, vs. 16-18, exceptionally 19 (Ref. 126033).
Astatoreochromis alluaudi is not confined to a particular type of substrate and is ubiquitous in all areas where the water is less than 20 m deep; it also occurs in papyrus swamps (Ref. 5602, 126033). It feeds mainly on molluscs (Ref. 126033), but it might be an omnivorous species that switches to the most abundant food source in its environment (Ref. 6770, 126033). Used for snail control (Ref.4967).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
This species is a mouth-brooder (Ref. 126033). Though its breeding period is not well documented, the species may reproduce at the end of the short rain season from November to December (Ref. 126033).
van Oijen, M.J.P. and J. Snoeks, 1991. Astatoreochromis. p. 9-10. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.6250 [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): 3.6 ±0.50 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm<1; multiple spawning per year).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (13 of 100).
![Image of Astatoreochromis alluaudi (Alluaud\](/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Asall_u2.jpg "Image of Astatoreochromis alluaudi (Alluaud\")
