Chalinochromis Cyanophleps

📖 Overview

This species is a cryptic, timorous fish occupying rocky areas with large rocks or boulders . It is very rarely seen in open areas, but can be found in the darker parts of its biotope, in dark crevices and caves .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 22 - 23; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 6 - 7; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7; Vertebrae: 35 - 36. Diagnosis: Chalinochromis cyanophleps is distinguished from C. brichardi by flank colour brown to dark grey vs. beige or light grey; dark brown stripe below eye vs. contrasting black vertical stripes on head; iris and eye ring partly orange vs. orange colour not or faintly visible; opercular blotch absent vs. prominent; black blotch posteriorly in dorsal fin absent vs. present; dorsal and caudal fins dark with white dots vs. pale and dots absent; black spot at pectoral-fin base absent vs. present; more teeth in upper jaw, 13-16 vs. 5-10 in hemiseries, and lower jaw, 17-26 vs. 2-3 in hemiseries; and slender caudal peduncle, its depth 9.9-10.7% of standard length vs. 11.6-12.4% . It is distinguished from all other species of Chalinochromis by absence of stripes and blotches on head; lips not folded over adjacent jaw and not callous or papillate on lip surface outside that close to teeth vs. lips wide and folded over adjacent premaxilla and dentary, and more or less extensively papillose on abroad surfaces; presence of tricuspid inner teeth vs. exclusively unicuspid; and five mandibular lateralis foramina vs. four . It is distinguished from all species of Altolamprologus, Lamprologus, Lepidiolamprologus, Neolamprologus, Paleolamprologus and Variabilichromis by number of dorsal-fin spines, 22-23 vs. 14-21; from all species of Congo River Lamprologus by first pelvic-fin ray longest vs. second to third rays longest, and lateral line scales 37-39 vs. 29-37; from all species of Telmatochromis by dentition, inner teeth mostly unicuspid vs. only or predominantly tricuspid, posterodorsal corner of opercle rounded vs. pointed, and upper jaw projecting vs. jaws equal; from all species of Julidochromis by absence of bars and bands on body, and scales in longitudinal row 37-39 vs. 36 or less . : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chalinochromis Cyanophleps is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 6 - 45 m . Tropical south to Kalala Island (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Chalinochromis Cyanophleps.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute