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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Cynotilapia Aurifrons

Cynotilapia aurifrons Tawil, 2011
Max Length
7.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
11.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Cynotilapia Aurifrons (Cynotilapia aurifrons), first described by Tawil, 2011 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 7.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Cichlidae kept in the hobby.

Scientific Name
Cynotilapia aurifrons
Authority
Tawil, 2011
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
7.3 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Vulnerability
11.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosis: This species of Microchromis is characterized by a blue-white pattern with dark vertical bars on body, enhanced in dominant specimens, where these bars almost hide the underlying colour; bars sometimes slightly extending onto dorsal fin; similar to the Maylandia zebra species group, with which they share the same overall colouration; differs from these mainly by dentition: teeth on outer rows short and conical, regularly decreasing in size from symphysis to corner, vs. bicuspid in Maylandia . It differs from Microchromis zebroides by its heavily black pattern and melanic pattern not extending onto brow, which shows a brilliant blue to yellow hue, according to the locality; dorsal fin yellow, with black submarginal band and whitish marginal band . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Cynotilapia Aurifrons is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.4±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
7.3cm
Dorsal Spines
16
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
11.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Tawil, 2011

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