Otopharynx Mumboensis

📖 Overview

Otopharynx Mumboensis (Otopharynx mumboensis), first described by Oliver, 2018 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 11.60 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Diagnosis: A smallish laterally spotted haplochromine distinguished from most Otopharynx species by its suprapectoral spot, which is situated entirely below the upper lateral line and separated from it by about half the spot height; this spot is roughly rectangular, longitudinally elongate, 1-1.5 scales high, covering about seven consecutive scales, about three times as long as tall . The placement and shape of the suprapectoral spot immediately distinguish Otopharynx mumboensis from O. antron, O. argyrosoma, O. auromarginatus, O. decorus, O. heterodon, O. pachycheilus, O. selenurus, O. speciosus, O. spelaeotes, O. tetraspilus, and O. tetrastigma, all of which have the suprapectoral spot touching or usually extending above the upper lateral line, or may have no suprapectoral spot in O. selenurus; only O. brooksi, O. lithobates, and O. ovatus have a suprapectoral spot similar to that of O. mumboensis . Compared to O. brooksi, O. mumboensis has a shorter head, 31-32% of standard length vs. 36-39%, fewer outer teeth in the upper jaw, 47-50 vs. 69-87, and more gill rakers, 13 on lower limb vs. 11-12; compared to O. lithobates, O. mumboensis is deeper bodied, body depth 35.5-36.1% of standard length vs. 29.5-34.4%, has a shorter lower jaw, 35.7-36.2% of head length vs. 36.9-42.0%, and has a lower pharyngeal bone with all teeth of the median columns somewhat enlarged, with subcylindrical shafts and submolariform crowns vs. with slightly enlarged submolariform teeth confined to the posteromedian area; compared to O. ovatus, O. mumboensis has a shorter lower jaw, 35.7-36.2% of head length vs. 43.2-44.3%, larger eye, orbit length 34.8-35.4% of head length vs. 27.9-32.9%, narrower interorbital width, 22.6-24.0% of head length vs. 26.5-29.6%, more triangular lower pharyngeal bone with the posterior contour nearly straight vs. more Y-shaped and rather deeply notched posteriorly, and all teeth in the median columns of the lower pharyngeal bone somewhat molariform, the crowns broadened and flattened vs. the teeth in these columns bicuspid, their crowns not molarized . : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Otopharynx Mumboensis is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical southwest arm of Lake Malawi, in Malawi (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Otopharynx Mumboensis.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute