Spindle hap
📖 Overview
Inhabits shallow, rocky sediment-free habitat. Feeds on 'aufwuchs' attached to rocks, but also takes small invertebrates, including zooplankton when this is abundant .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 31. Resembles P. fenestratus in form and in ecology, but differs from it in having a larger eye and consequently narrower preorbital, in the more numerous teeth in the upper jaw and on the lower pharyngeal, the higher number of gill rakers, the anterior of which, although short, are acute and well defined and in the higher modal number of dorsal spines. Differs from P. virgatus in the absence of enlarged pharyngeal teeth.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spindle hap is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Spindle hap is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Parents practice co-operative care of young by grouping together and setting up protective stations close to one another; releasing their young and embarking upon parental care. Every protective mantle is very close to the next in such a way that young can move from one parent to the next.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 9°S - 15°S Endemic to Lake Malawi where it is widely distributed.
🌿 Ecology
'aufwuchs' attached to rocks, but also takes small invertebrates, including zooplankton when this is
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Spindle hap 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 Spindle hap is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spindle hap has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Red Empress · Red Empress Hap · Spindle Hap |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | värttinämalawinahven |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyrtocara taeniolatus | Trewavas | 1935 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis cancellus | Greenwood | 1963 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis taeniolatus | Trewavas | 1935 | Synonym |
| Protomelas dejunctus taeniolatus | Trewavas | 1935 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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