Labeotropheus Obscurus

📖 Overview

Labeotropheus Obscurus (Labeotropheus obscurus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7.8 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): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosis: Labeotropheus obscurus differs from all other species of Labeotropheus due to the unusually drab and muted colouration of sexually mature males; male nuptial colour pattern dominated by grey and brown pigmentation, with some blue and orange highlights on scales and fins, as opposed to a nuptial colour pattern dominated by blue, orange, or red pigmentation . Labeotropheus obscurus differs from the slender-bodied Labeotropheus species, L. trewavasae, L. simoneae, and L. chirangali, but not L. rubidorsalis, due to its greater body depth, 35.2-41.5% of standard length vs. 26.3-33.4% in L. trewavasae, 26.9-30.8% in L. simoneae and 26.6-33.2% in L. chirangali; it typically has a greater body depth than L. rubidorsalis, although the ranges slightly overlap, 31.6-36.1% of standard length in L. rubidorsalis; overall, L. obscurus does have a deeper body than L. rubidorsalis as indicated by several other measurements akin to body depth, including the distance between the origin of the dorsal fin and the origin of the anal fin, 50.8-56.3% of standard length vs. 45.6-50.3%, the distance between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the insertion of the anal fin, 15.8-17.8% of standard length vs. 13.5-15.7%, the distance between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the origin of the anal fin, 30.3-33.2% of standard length vs. 27.6-30.3%, and the distance between the origin of the dorsal fin and the attachment of the pelvic fins, 35.4-40.5% of standard length vs. 31.5-35.4% . Labeotropheus obscurus has a distinctly larger eye diameter than several of the robust species of L.abeotropheus, 27.3-32.4% of head length vs. 23.7-26.6% in L. fuelleborni, 22.6-25.5% in L. chlorosiglos, and 24.9-27.5% in L. alticodia; it also has fewer rows of teeth in the upper jaw than all robust Labeotropheus except L. alticodia, 3-4 vs. 4-5 in L. fuelleborni, 5-7 in L. chlorosiglos, 5-8 in L. artatorostris, 4-6 in L. aurantinfra, and 4-6 in L. candipygia, and fewer teeth in the left side of the lower jaw, 20-26 vs. 31-43 in L. fuelleborni, 30-37 in L. chlorosiglos and 29-35 in L. alticodia .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Labeotropheus Obscurus 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 Obscurus.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute