Haplochromis Curvidens

📖 Overview

Haplochromis Curvidens (Haplochromis curvidens), first described by Vranken, Van Steenberge, Heylen, Decru & Snoeks, 2022 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 11.20 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.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 29 - 31. Diagnosis: Species with a piscivorous morphology; outer oral teeth many, small, and (strongly) recurved, 45-60; non-dominant males dusky green with a blue sheen and 5-7, faint, vertical stripes . Amongst piscivorous species from the Lake Edward system, Haplochromis curvidens differs from H. latifrons, H. mentatus, H. rex, H. simba, H. glaucus, and H. aquila by small vs. large outer oral teeth and a larger number of outer upper jaw teeth, 45-60 vs; 22-47; further from H. latifrons, H. mentatus, H. rex, H. simba and H. glaucus by a shallower lacrimal, lacrimal depth 16.0-17.8% of head length vs. 18.0-23.0%; further from H. rex, H. simba, H. glaucus and H. aquila by a shallower cheek, cheek depth 22.4-24.9% of head length vs. 26.2-33.5% . It differs from H. kimondo, H. falcatus and H. quasimodo by the combination of a shallower cheek, cheek depth 22.4-24.9% of head length vs. 24.8-35.2%; and absence vs. presence of a well-defined mid-lateral band; further from H. kimondo by narrower jaws, lower jaw width 38.5-43.2% of lower jaw length vs. 44.7-53.3%; further from H. falcatus by a shorter pre-dorsal distance, 34.5-37.9% of standard length vs. 38.2-41.1%; further from H. quasimodo by a shallower body, body depth 29.0-32.0% of standard length vs. 33.5-41.7% .It differs from H. pardus by the combination of a shorter anal fin base, 17.9-18.6% of standard length vs. 19.2-22.2%; a slightly broader interorbital area, interorbital width 46.4-52.5% of head width vs. 39.3-48.4%; and all specimens faint yellow to dusky green vs. speckled to uniformly black . It differs from H. squamipinnis by the combination of a shallower body, body depth 29.0-32.0% of standard length vs. 32.4-39.3%; a shallower cheek, cheek depth 22.4-24.9% of head length vs. 24.9-36.0%; and absence vs. presence of minute scales on proximal parts of dorsal and anal fins .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Haplochromis Curvidens is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Haplochromis Curvidens.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute