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💧 Freshwater Critically Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Nkhomo-benga peacock

Aulonocara baenschi Meyer & Riehl, 1985
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Overview information for Nkhomo-benga peacock is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Aulonocara baenschi
Authority
Meyer & Riehl, 1985
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
CR
Max Length
13 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Water Temp
22–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Cichliformes
Cichliformes
Family
Cichlidae
Cichlidae
Genus
Aulonocara
Aulonocara
Species
Nkhomo-benga peacock
Aulonocara baenschi

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Nkhomo-benga peacock is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Nkhomo-benga peacock is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Nkhomo-benga peacock is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

👄 Mouth Brooder

Female mouthbrooder .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.2 - 8.2; dH range: 10 - 30. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C ; 13°S - 15°S endemic to Lake Malawi; reported from in Chipoka, Maleri Islands, Nkhomo, and Usisya.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.5±0.37
Food Items

bottom-dwelling invertebrates (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01445 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
13cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–26°C
pH Range
7.2–8.2
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Critically Endangered
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
15.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Meyer & Riehl, 1985

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Nkhomo-benga peacock is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Nkhomo-benga peacock is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Nkhomo-benga peacock has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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