Haplochromis Pharyngalis
📖 Overview
The stomachs of a small number of specimens which were examined contained both larval and emergent insects . Specimens from Lake George insectivorous, those from Lake Edward both insectivorous and molluscivorous .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9; Vertebrae: 28 - 31. Diagnosis: Haplochromis pharyngalis differs from all species from the Lake Edward system, except Haplochromis fuscus, by a rounded caudal fin; very small, round and depply embedded chest scales, 7-11 pectoral-pelvic scales; small nape scales, and dominant males with white-blue first ray of pelvic fins . It differs from H. fuscus by an acute vs. blunt snout with a more shallow inclination, 40°-45° vs. 45°-60°; rounded vs. nearly squared dental arcades; and fewer rowsof inner oral teeth, 2-3, rarely 4, vs. 4-5 . It shares with H. elegans and H. aeneocolor a generalised Haplochromis morphology; it differs from both by 3-5 vs. 2-3 infraorbital chekk scales, deeper cheeks, 24.0-31.2% of head length vs. 19.2-23.8% and 20.1-24.4%, slightly smaller eyes, 26.9-33.1% of head length vs. 29.9-36.2% and 29.7-35.0%, and dominant males with green-yellow vs. blue and yellow flanks, respectively . Some specimens from Lake Edward share with Haplochromis mylodon, Haplochromis concilians, Haplochromis placodus and Haplochromis malacophagus an enlarged pharyngeal apparatus set with molariform teeth; it differs from all by recurved vs. straight outer oral teeth and from H. mylodon and H. concilians by the colour pattern of dominant males with green-yellow vs. blue flanks and faint vs. well-defined nostril and interorbital stripes; the latter is also diagnostic in preserved specimens .
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Haplochromis Pharyngalis is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mouthbrooding by females .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 1°N - 1°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thoracochromis pharyngalis | Poll & Damas | 1939 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Haplochromis Pharyngalis.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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