Haplochromis Taurinus

📖 Overview

Apparently confined to inshore areas of the lake where it has been taken off the papyrus fringe and also over sandy beaches in sheltered areas . It has a paedophagous diet .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 30. Diagnosis: Haplochromis taurinus differs from all Haplochromis species of Lake Edward system by its anteriorly curved outer teeth in the lower jaw . It is distinct from all other known paedophagous species within these lakes by its larger eyes, 32.9-40.2% of head length vs. 29.0-34.7%, and outer teeth with conical necks and bicuspid crowns with major cusps that bear a clear flange vs. cylindrical to constricted necks and uni-, bi-, or weakly tricuspid crowns that, in large specimens of more than 100 mm standard length, bear no flange . It is similar to H. molossus and H. gracilifur by its rounded jaws and small lachrymal bones; distinct from H. gracilifur by its deeper caudal peduncle, depth 73.9-88.1% of caudal peduncle length vs. 62.9-66.4%, and longer premaxillary pedicel, 23.5-26.2% of head length vs. 18.1-21.6%; distinct from H. molossus by its more slender jaws, 51.4-72.7% of lower jaw length vs. 67.0-87.0%, more gentle sloping snout, 35-40° vs. 45-55°, and steeper gape inclination, 40-45° vs. 20-30° . It is easily separated from H. relictidens and H. paradoxus by its smaller lachrymal bones, 11.5-16.4% of head length vs. 15.8-18.4% and 14.7-21.5%, respectively, and broadly rounded lower jaw vs. anteriorly slender lower jaw; in addition, it has more outer teeth in the upper jaw than H. relictidens and fewer than H. paradoxus, 23-39 vs. 16-26 and 36-65, respectively . Mature males of H. taurinus have metallic-blue bodies with dark red flanks vs. colour pattern different in all other paedophagous species .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Haplochromis Taurinus is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Haplochromis Taurinus is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Mouthbrooding by females.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory. Tropical; 1°N - 1°S

🌿 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) - 1 records indexed .

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