Maylandia Mossambica
📖 Overview
Maylandia Mossambica (Maylandia mossambica) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 8 cm. With a trophic level of 2.3, it is an omnivore, consuming both plant and animal matter. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: A moderately-sloped head and bicuspid teeth in the outer row of the jaws place this species in Maylandia . Male M. mossambica from Chiloelo are distinguished from those of all other members of Maylandia by the absence of a black submarginal band in the dorsal and by black streaks in the caudal and in the posterior portion of the dorsal fin; male M. mossambica from Chinuni are distinguished from those of all other Maylandia by the absence of a black submarginal band in the dorsal and by a narrow black submarginal band in the anal fin; male M. mossambica from Lumessi are distinguished from all other Maylandia, except M. aurora, M. chrysomallos, and M. xanthos by the absence of a black submarginal band in the dorsal, a yellow ventral half of the head, breast, and dorsal fin, and a light-blue nape; male M. mossambica from Lumessi population differ from those of M. chrysomallos by a yellow dorsal fin which is light-blue in the latter . Maylandia mossambica differs from M. aurora by more vertical bars below the dorsal, 7–9 vs. 6, and from M. xanthos by a shorter lower jaw, 27.9–33.8% of head length vs. 34.6–36.7% . Based on the colour pattern, female M. mossambica cannot reliably be distinguished from those of most other members of the Aurora group but have 7 or 8 bars below the dorsal fin vs. 6 bars in M. aurora . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Maylandia Mossambica is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 13°S - 14°S, 34°E - 35°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Maylandia Mossambica.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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