Veil-finned Madagascar cichlid
📖 Overview
Veil-finned Madagascar cichlid (Ptychochromis insolitus) 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 24.5 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 27. It is distinguished from congeners by a reduced number of precaudal vertebrae (12) and a reduced number of infraorbital elements (5), and also by the presence of a faint midlateral stripe, beginning just posterior to the dorsocaudal margin of the opercle and extending to caudal-fin origin . It is a comparatively shallow bodied and laterally compressed Ptychochromis . In life, base body coloration is silvery to silvery-golden, particularly below lateral midline; cheek and opercular series silvery; body golden with blackish speckles and blotches above midline, including nape, top of head, and infraorbital series; unpaired fins reddish, particularly distally, or dark gray; pectoral fins pale and reddish; pelvic fins pale reddish and may exhibit some black pigmentation along caudal margin . In preservative, ground coloration is pale yellowish-olive, with faint dark stripe present along lateral midline, more pronounced posteriorly; fins hyaline to pale yellowish-olive .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Veil-finned Madagascar cichlid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Veil-finned Madagascar cichlid is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Veil-finned Madagascar cichlid is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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