aquarium
📖 Overview
Favors a sediment-free rocky habitat, where it stays in midwater about one meter away from the substrate. Is normally found just below the surface, rarely deeper than 5 m. Mostly seen at places where the rocky coast drops steeply. Feeds on invertebrates taken from the water and on insects that fall into the water .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Small to medium-sized with the plesiomorphic melanin pattern. Differs from the other species with this pattern in the higher number of gill-rakers (16-18) and in the greater emphasis of the blotches along the dorsum in the overall pattern. Differs further from P. marginatus in the more posterior position of the deepest part of the body.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for aquarium is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for aquarium is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 9°S - 15°S Endemic to the northern and southern parts of Lake Malawi.
🌿 Ecology
invertebrates taken from the water and on insects that fall into the water (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"aquarium 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 aquarium is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for aquarium has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyrtocara spilonotus | Trewavas | 1935 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis spilonotus | Trewavas | 1935 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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