Labeotropheus Artatorostris

📖 Overview

Labeotropheus Artatorostris (Labeotropheus artatorostris), first described by Pauers, 2017 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 11.50 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. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Cichlidae kept in the hobby.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8. Diagnosis: All diagnostic characteristics of Labeotropheus are present, including a steeply sloping head; broad, fleshy snout; wide jaws with retrognathous lower jaw; and an interior and subterminal mouth . Labeotropheus artatorostris differs from the slender-bodied Labeotropheus, L. trewavasae and L. simoneae, by its deeper body depth, 34.3-42.0% of standard length vs. 26.9-30.8% in L. simoneae and 25.3-33.4% in L. trewavasae; greater distance between insertion of dorsal fin and origin of anal fin, 29.2-34.0% of standard length vs. 27.4-28.6% in L. simoneae and 26.3-29.1% in L. trewavasae; and greater distance between origin of dorsal fin and insertion of pelvic fins, 36.1-41.1% of standard length vs. 27.5-32.8% in L. simoneae and 26.1-32.7% in L. trewavasae . Labeotropheus artatorostris is different from L. curvirostris by having more teeth rows in both the upper and lower jaws, 5-8 vs. 3 and 3-8 vs. 1, respectively; more infraorbital neuromasts, 12-36 vs. 9; shorter upper jaw, 15.6-22.9% of head length vs. 23.6%; and a narrower snout, 33.2-40.2% of head length vs. 42.6% . It differs from L. fuelleborni due to a shorter snout pad, 7.43-14.2% of head length vs. 14.9-17.2% in L. fuelleborni and 9.0-17.2% in types of L. fuelleborni and Messule specimens; more rows of teeth in the upper jaw, 5-8 vs. 4-5 in L. fuelleborni types and Messule specimens; and more gillrakers on the first ceratobranchial, 7-10 vs. 7-8 in L. fuelleborni . It differs from L. chlorosiglos due to greater distance between the opercular tabs, 16.6-18.7% of standard length vs. 14.7-15.7% in L. chlorosiglos; and greater distance between origin of dorsal fin and insertion of pelvic fin, 36.1-41.1% of standard length vs. 33.0-36.0% in L. chlorosiglos . Labeotropheus artatorostris also has longer pectoral fins, 24.6-33.3% of standard length, than all other species of Labeotropheus: 22.2-26.0% in L. chlorosiglos, 23.1-25.7% in L. fuelleborni, 22.2-29.3% in L. fuelleborni types and Messule specimens, 21.9-26.3% in L. simoneae, and 18.4-23.9% in L. trewavasae; it has also a wider body than all other species of Labeotropheus, body width at pectoral fins 14.0-18.3% of standard length vs. 12.7-14.3% in L. chlorosiglos, 15.0-16.9% in L. fuelleborni, 13.1-17.9% in L. fuelleborni types and Messule specimens, 13.0-15.6% in L. simoneae, and 12.1-16.6% in L. trewavasae; body width at opercular tabs 16.6-18.7% of standard length vs. 14.7-15.7% in L. chlorosiglos, 16.2-18.2% in L. fuelleborni, 15.3-18.4% in L. fuelleborni types and Messule specimens, 14.7-16.7% in L. simoneae, and 12.1-16.6% in L. trewavasae . Finally, L. artatorostris differs from all other species of Labeotropheus based on fin colouration of males: presence of orange-red pigmentation in pelvic, anal, and rayed dorsal fins in L. artatorostris vs. all fins blue in L. fuelleborni and L. trewavasae, and whitish-blue anal and yellow-rayed dorsal fins in L. chlorosiglos and L. simoneae; Labeotropheus artatorostris also lacks the large orange flank patch found in L. chlorosiglos and L. simoneae, and the orange pigmentation present on operculum of L. simoneae . : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Labeotropheus Artatorostris is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical West Island, Lake Malawi, in Malawi (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Labeotropheus Artatorostris.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute