Copadichromis Atripinnis
📖 Overview
Inhabits the sand/rock interface; territorial males construct bowers on sand slopes near rocky areas with distances between bowers approximately 2-7m; females gather in large schools, sometimes numbering more than a hundred individuals; foraging schools are about 2-3m off the bottom and feed on plankton in the water column and on benthic invertebrates; mouthbrooding females are found close to the bottom .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Diagnosis: 3 lateral spots on the body . Supra-pectoral spot about 1-1.5 times the supra-anal spot and overlapping upper lateral line . Supra-anal spot present . Spots in the rayed portion of dorsal fin yellow; anal fin black . Breeding males with wide yellow marginal band in anal fin , blue breast and a narrow black submarginal band in the dorsal fin . Caudal fin membrane yellow, in breeding males with broad bands; pectoral fin completely black; dorsal fin base length 56.3-62.45% SL; 14-20 gill rakers on the ceratobranchial . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Copadichromis Atripinnis is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Copadichromis Atripinnis is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Builds bowers on a sand slope near rocky area at depth of 16-25 m. Bowers are circular or oval in shape with slight depression on the center and a surrounding sand mound. These contain a stone usually at the deeper margin of the sand mound. The depression is usually deepest near the stone and spawning takes place at this deepest part.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic; depth range 12 - 25 m . Tropical Endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring along the rocky shores of Nankumba Peninsula and along those shores between the Masinje River and Gome Village.
🌿 Ecology
plankton in the water column and on benthic invertebrates; mouthbrooding females are found close to
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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