Banded Madagascar cichlid

📖 Overview

Banded Madagascar cichlid (Paretroplus maromandia) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 13 cm. With a trophic level of 2.9, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 23; Anal spines: 8 - 9; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. Diagnosis: Paretroplus maromandia is a member of the deep-bodied clade of Paretroplus and the only member of the genus, apart from P. polyactis, in which the entire lateral series of bars is prominent, including in adults; it is the only species of Paretroplus occurring in western drainages with strong lateral barring . Paretroplus maromandia is distinguished from P. polyactis by the presence of lateral bars that extend more or less over the entire flank, from the dorsal-fin base, and sometimes extending onto the fin membrane itself, to the anal-fin base, vs. bars that terminate approximately under the lateral midline and do not extend to the anal-fin base in P. polyactis; by a greater lateral-line scale count, 39-41 vs. 31-36; fewer gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch, 10 vs. 11-13; a higher dorsal-fin ray count, 20-23 vs. 15-18; and by bright yellow to greenish-yellow body ground colouration interrupted by seven prominent, solid black vertical bars on the flanks, vs. bars and intervening regions highly speckled/spotted and resembling a chain-link fence, owing to pigmentation pattern in which scale margins are markedly darker than centers in P. polyactis . In life, P. maromandia is further distinguished from P. polyactis by a golden iris, vs. red, and the presence of vivid red pigmentation on the flanks, below the lateral midline .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Banded Madagascar cichlid is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Banded Madagascar cichlid.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

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