Labeotropheus Alticodia

📖 Overview

Labeotropheus Alticodia (Labeotropheus alticodia), first described by Phiri & Pauers, 2023 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 8.60 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): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosis: Labeotropheus alticodia differs from the slender-bodied Labeotropheus, , L. simoneae, L. chirangali and L. rubidorsalis, as well as L. chlorosiglos, due to its greater body depth, 37.4-40.6% of standard length vs. 26.3-33.4% in L. trewavasae, 26.9-30.8% in L. simoneae, 26.6-33.2% in L. chirangali, 31.6-36.1% in L. rubidorsalis, 31.9-34.7% in L. chlorosiglos; it also differs from the slender Labeotropheus due to a greater distance between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the insertion of the anal fin, 16.4-18.1% of standard length vs. 12.7-15.5% in L. trewavasae, 14.6-16.0% in L. simoneae, 13.7-15.7% in L. chirangali, 13.5-15.7% in L. rubidorsalis . Labeotropheus alticodia differs from all other robust-bodied Labeotropheus, except L. fuelleborni, by the nuptial colouration of the males: male L. alticodia have a pale, powder-blue body, and the dorsal and caudal fins are whitish blue with yellow trailing edges, while the anal fin is a pale yellow orange; additionally, the pelvic fins are a pale yellow orange with white leading edges; the morphometric and meristic values largely overlap with the other robust Labeotropheus, with the following exceptions: L. alticodia differs from L. fuelleborni due to a longer distance between the tip of the snout and the origin of the dorsal fin, 33.6-35.9% of standard length vs. 30.8-33.7%, a longer rostral length, 42.0-48.8% of head length vs. 40.4-42.0%, a shorter upper jaw, 14.4-20.1% of head length vs. 20.2-23.9%, and a smaller snout pad, 11.6-14.8% of head length vs. 14.9-17.2%; it differs from L. artatorostris due to a deeper preorbital depth, 26.9-34.5% of head length vs. 19.7-26.8%, and a typically longer rostral length, 42.0-48.4% of head length vs. 22.9-43.7%; it differs from L. candipygia by greater distances between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the insertion of the anal fin, 16.4-18.1% of standard length vs. 13.9-16.7%, as well as between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the origin of the anal fin, 31.3-32.9% of standard length vs. 27.4-31.7%; it differs from L. aurantinfra by a greater distance between the tip of the snout and the attachment of the pelvic fins, 41.0-49.1% of standard length vs. 36.9-43.7%, a greater preorbital depth, 26.9-34.5% of head length vs. 21.3-31.7%, and a greater snout length, 30.4-35.7% of head length vs. 26.7-33.1%; finally, it differs from L. obscurus due to a smaller eye diameter, 24.9-27.5% of head length vs. 27.3-32.4%, and more teeth in the left half of the lower jaw, 29-35 vs. 20-26 .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Labeotropheus Alticodia is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Labeotropheus Alticodia.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute