Maylandia Usisyae
📖 Overview
Maylandia Usisyae (Maylandia usisyae) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7.5 cm. With a trophic level of 2.3, it is an omnivore, consuming both plant and animal matter. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosis: The presence of bicuspid teeth in the outer rows on both the upper and lower jaws and a moderately sloped vomer block with a swollen rostral tip place this species in Maylandia . Male and female M. usisyae are distinguished by an elongate body, body depth 25.9-30.6% of standard length, from all other species in Maylandia, body depth 28.8-40.8% of standard length, except M. tarakiki, body depth 25.8-32.9% of standard length, and M. flavicauda, body depth 23.6-28.5% of standard length . It differs from M. tarakiki by a smaller eye, vertical eye diameter 23.1-28.1% of head length vs. 30.2-36.5% in M. tarakiki; and a shorter lower jaw length, lower jaw length 29.9-33.4% of head length vs. 34.8-38.9% on M. tarakiki . Based on the colour pattern, male M. usisyae possess a yellow dorsal fin with a black submarginal band, yellow pelvic fins and yellow anal fin with a black leading edge; male M. flavicauda possess black pelvic and anal fins, and a black dorsal fin with yellow/orange spots distally; the ground colouration of male M. flavicauda is blue with 2 light/purple interorbital bars vs. yellow with 2 white/light blue interorbital bars in male M. usisyae; females of M. usisyae cannot reliably be distinguished by colour from those of M. flavicauda; Maylandia flavicauda also possess a deeper preorbital bone, preorbital depth 18.0-26.9% of head length, and a longer snout, snout length 34.3-47.3% of head length, which are 17.6-21.2% and 32.0-37.6% in M. usisyae respectively . : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Maylandia Usisyae is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Maylandia Usisyae.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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