Fuscotaeniatus
📖 Overview
Widespread but uncommon . Usually solitary in shallow, vegetated areas and in the intermediate sand-rock habitat . Feeds on small fishes .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Diagnosis: body relatively elongate with irregular, blotchy horizontal melanin pattern; no spots on pectoral fins; jaws large, with length of lower jaw 43.4-50.6% head length . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Fuscotaeniatus is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Fuscotaeniatus is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Fuscotaeniatus is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; depth range 0 - 15 m . Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 12°S - 15°S Endemic to Lake Malawi.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Fuscotaeniatus is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Fuscotaeniatus is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Fuscotaeniatus has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Fuscotaeniatus Hap · Spothead Cichlid · Spothead Hap |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | tummajuovamalawinhautoja |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyrtocara fuscotaeniata | Regan | 1922 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis fuscotaeniatus | Regan | 1922 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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