Southern mouthbrooder
📖 Overview
Found in various habitats, from flowing waters to lakes and isolated sinkholes, e.g., Lake Otjikoto, Namibia (see Ref. 27829); usually prefers vegetated zones. It feeds on insects, shrimps and even small fish . Breeds from early spring to late summer; males establish and defend a territory, construct a simple cleared nest and attract ripe females; eggs are laid in the nest, fertilized and collected by the female; the female withdraws to a quiet nursery area to brood the eggs, larvae and juveniles until they are able to fend for themselves . Ovophilic, agamous maternal mouthbrooder; no pair-bonding takes place .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern mouthbrooder is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Southern mouthbrooder is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Female lays batches of eggs on a substratum which the male begins to inseminate. Female collects the eggs almost immediately after laying a batch and incubates eggs in her mouth for 12-14 days at 26°C, releasing the young after which. Parent guards the young for 5-7 days, keeping them into her mouth when approached by predators or divers.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: 12 - ?. Tropical; 22°C - 25°C ; 5°S - 35°S
🌿 Ecology
insects, shrimps and even small fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromis philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis moffati | - | - | Synonym |
| Haplochromis philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis philander dispersus | Trewavas | 1936 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis philander luebberti | Hilgendorf | 1902 | Synonym |
| Haplochromis philander philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
| Hemihaplochromis philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
| Hemihaplochromis philander dispersus | Trewavas | 1936 | Synonym |
| Paratilapia luebberti | Hilgendorf | 1902 | Synonym |
| Pseudocrenilabrus natalensis | Fowler | 1934 | Synonym |
| Pseudocrenilabrus philander dispersus | Trewavas | 1936 | Synonym |
| Pseudocrenilabrus philander luebberti | Hilgendorf | 1902 | Synonym |
| Pseudocrenilabrus philander philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
| Tilapia ellenbergeri | Gilchrist & Thompson | 1917 | Synonym |
| Tilapia philander | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 501 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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