Red-banded Madagascar cichlid

📖 Overview

Red-banded Madagascar cichlid (Paretroplus loisellei), first described by Sparks & Schelly, 2011 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 14.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Endangered.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 8 - 10; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. Diagnosis: This species of Paretroplus is distinguished from all congeners except its sister taxon, P. damii, by the presence of a triangular, black pectoral-axil patch in combination with the absence of a series of prominent vertical bars on the flank; in life, unstressed individuals of these two species can easily be distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a broad, vertical brick red or pale yellow band on the anterior half of the flank . Paretroplus loisellei is distinguished from P. damii by the presence of a more or less straight gular region in lateral view, vs. rounded and convex in P. damii, such that the ventral margins of the preopercle and interopercle are essentially horizontal; in P. loisellei the oral jaws are horizontally oriented, vs. strongly oblique; the lips are enlarged and fleshy, vs. thin; and the snout is elongate and curved, creating a beaked appearance, vs. short and straight; the enlarged symphyseal teeth in the upper jaw possess distinct, sharp lateral cusps, vs. poorly developed and rounded; owing to convex premaxillary pedicels, Paretroplus loisellei exhibits a prominent indentation marking the transition from the dorsal margin of the premaxillary ascending process to the supraoccipital crest . The base colouration in P. loisellei is uniform dark brownish-gray in preservation; whereas P. damii is considerably lighter golden brown overall and frequently retains a faint, pale broad band on the anterior region of the flank; Paretroplus loisellei exhibits a distinctive bright golden breeding colouration, vs. brick red . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Red-banded Madagascar cichlid is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Red-banded Madagascar cichlid.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute