Melanochromis Chipokae
📖 Overview
It prefers sandy patches among rock . In general, only solitary individuals are encountered, wandering through the intermediate habitat searching for larger invertebrates and, perhaps, small fishes . It may have suffered over-fishing by collectors of ornamental fishes because this species was rather common in the aquarium hobby more than 20 years ago .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosis: Females and subadults of Melanochromis chipokae are distinguished from those of all other Melanochromis species by a yellow ground colour and a black submarginal band in the dorsal and anal fins . Male M. chipokae in breeding colour have a blue occipital region, a dark-blue/black body with two wide, light-blue horizontal stripes, and a blue dorsal fin with a wide white margin; they differ from males of most Melanochromis species with a similar colour pattern, except M. robustus and M. heterochromis, by the blue occipital region that is black or gray in M. melanopterus, M. vermivorus, M. simulans, M. loriae, M. robustus and M. mossambiquensis . Melanochromis chipokae males and females differ from M. robustus by a narrower interorbital width, 17.5-23.3% of head length vas. 26.1-29.6%, and from M. heterochromis by a longer lower jaw, 36.5-38.9% of head length vs. 29.3-34.6% . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Melanochromis Chipokae is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Female is mouthbrooder.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.3 - 8.5; dH range: 7 - 18. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 13°S - 15°S endemic to Lake Malawi (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aulonocara chipokae | Johnson | 1975 | Synonym |
| Melanochromis chipoke | Johnson | 1975 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Melanochromis Chipokae.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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