Haplochromis Vanoijeni

📖 Overview

A benthic species, caught mainly in the deeper parts, more than 10 m depth, in the Mwanza Gulf, over mud bottoms; occasionally caught over mud in shallower areas . Before the ecological changes in Lake Victoria, this species fed mainly on detritus; occasionally remains of shrimps and insects were found . This species is a female mouth brooder .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: Haplochromis vanoijeni is a small sized (less than 9 cm standard length), micrognathic species with generalized body profile, but with a relatively long and acute snout; because of the latter, and its relatively small interorbital width, the species bears some resemblance with species of the 'tridens' group; indeed, it has some tricuspid teeth rostrally in the outer row of the oral jaws . It differs from eight of the nine described species in the 'tridens' group in the colouration of sexually active males: dorsum and flanks in sexually active males of Haplochromis vanoijeni are bright red; both males and females have conspicuously silverish-white cheeks, contrasting with the remaining head colours, which is a unique character among Lake Victoria haplochromines . From Haplochromis tridens, of which the colouration of live, sexually active males is unknown, it differs in the following characters: the lower jaw is shorter, lower jaw length 40.9-44.7% of head length vs. 43.3-51.8%; a larger interorbital width, 17.6-20.5% of head length vs. 15.0-19.5%; in contrast to H. vanoijeni, H. tridens has a dorsal head profile that is interrupted by a prominent premaxillary pedicel, and a cephalic line system with prominent pores . Besides by its specific colouration pattern, H. vanoijeni can be distinguished from all described species in the 'tridens' group by its larger body depth, 33.1-36.2% of standard length vs. 30.6-33.6%; the lower jaw of H. vanoijeni is shorter, 40.9-44.7% of standard length, than tah of most described species in the 'trident' group, except for that of H. cryptogramma and that of H. plutonius . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Haplochromis Vanoijeni is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

This species is a female mouth brooder .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Haplochromis Vanoijeni.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute