Coptodon Nigrans

📖 Overview

Coptodon Nigrans (Coptodon nigrans) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 15.3 cm. With a trophic level of 2.6, it is an omnivore, consuming both plant and animal matter. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: Coptodon nigrans differs from all Tilapia sensu lato, and Coptodon, except for a few members, in quadricuspid to pentacuspid posterior pharyngeal teeth on lower pharyngeal jaw; quadricuspid teeth are known from C. tholloni, C. cameronensis, C. dageti, C. congica, C. deckerti, and partially from C. ejagham . It differs from C. cameronensis, C. ismailiaensis and C. dageti in longer lower jaw, 13.9-17.3% of standard length vs. 9.6-13.2%; from C. tholloni in longer snout length, 15.8-18.2% of standard length vs. 11.7-14.6%; from C. congica in lesser body depth, 34.9-40.2% of standard length vs. 41.5-49.2%; and from C. kottae in narrower interorbital width, 10.0-11.8% of standard length vs. 12.4-14.0% . Differences to C. deckerti are based on a combination of morphometric, life history, genetic and ecological data, e.g. in longer snout length, 15.8-18.2% vs. 12.7-15.6%, by breeding exclusively in excavated caves below 5 m water depth, vs. always breeding above 2 m; the smallest reproductvely active specimens of C. nigrans are larger than largest reproductively active C. deckerti specimen . it differs from C. ejagham in dark square-shaped blotches at base of each flank scale, filled or with a light coloured window at centre of blotch, vs. flank scales with a dark scale margin and a light centre, especially on scales below lateral line . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Coptodon Nigrans is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Coptodon Nigrans is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Coptodon Nigrans is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

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