Petrotilapia Xanthos

📖 Overview

Petrotilapia Xanthos (Petrotilapia xanthos), first described by Lundeba, Stauffer & Konings, 2011 is a small fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 13.00 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. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Near Threatened.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Cichlidae kept in the hobby.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: The absence of a dark submarginal band in the dorsal fin distinguishes Petrotilapia xanthos from P. microgalana, P. genalutea, P. nigra, P. chrysos, P. mumboensis, and P. pyroscelos which have such a band . Adult males of P. xanthos are yellow, which distinguishes them from P. tridentiger, which are light blue with dark blue bars; they are also distinct from those of P. flaviventris, and P. palingnathos; males of P. flaviventris are yellow on ventral and mid flank with scales outlined in blue; the dorsal one-third is blue to gray with yellow and orange highlights; cheeks and throat yellow to orange; adult male, and female, P. palingnathos have distinctly retrognathous jaws and can thus be distinguished from those of P. xanthos . Females of P. xanthos are light brown, which distinguishes them from those of P. tridentiger, which are brown, from P. chrysos and P. microgalana, which are golden yellow, from those of P. flaviventris, which are yellow brown with interrupted black stripes and fading to dark brown dorsally; the melanin pattern in females of P. xanthos have both horizontal and vertical elements, which distinguishes them from those of P. chrysos, which lack a distinct melanin pattern and are completely yellow, and from P. microgalana and P. flaviventris, which have no vertical elements in their melanin pattern . : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Petrotilapia Xanthos is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical; 10°S - 11°S, 34°E - 35°E

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Petrotilapia Xanthos.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute