Haplochromis Planus
📖 Overview
Haplochromis Planus (Haplochromis planus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 8.2 cm. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 20 - 21. Diagnosis: Haplochromis planus differs from all other species of Haplochromis, except H. retrodens from Lake Victoria, by a shallow, broad and rectangular lower jaw with ascending arms steeply sloping upwards, enlarged and distinctly visible intrabuccally; oral-tooth bands U-shaped and, in large specimens of more than 75 mm standard length, set posteriorly with large and stout inner and outer teeth, especially in upper jaw; all oral mucosa in lower jaw at same height and oral-breathing valves strongly reduced to narrow, rectangular skin folds . It differs from H. retrodens by larger eyes, 35.7-41.6% of head length vs. 23.8-29.6%, correlated shorter snout, 24.6-28.8% of head length vs. 29.0-36.8%, and more slender interorbital width, 19.1-22.1% of head length vs. 24.2-33.8%, and dominant males with scarlet to red vs. dark grey-green flanks . It differs from H. concillans and H. erutus by a shallow vs. deep lower jaw, a narrower interorbital region, 19.1-22.1% of head length vs. 22.5-26.4% and 23.4-27.2% respectively, and dominant males with scarlet to red vs. blue-silver and silver-beige flanks, respectively; it differs further from H. concillans by a longer premaxillary pedicel, 21.9-24.4% of head length vs. 16.1-21.6%, and from H. erutus by a longer upper jaw, 27.6-32.1% of head length vs. 20.9-26.0% .
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Haplochromis Planus is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical endemic to Lake Edward (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Haplochromis Planus.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Haplochromis Planus ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.