Southern Madagascar cichlid
📖 Overview
Southern Madagascar cichlid (Ptychochromis mainty) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 14.9 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 27. Diagnosis: A Ptychochromis with palatine morphology typical of species on Madagascar’s east coast . It is distinguished from all congeners by uniform dark brownish to black colouration in preservation and in life by expansive, continuous (or nearly so), longitudinal black blotch on midlateral flank extending from posterior margin of opercle to caudal peduncle versus absent in P. inornatus, P. onilahy, P. curvidens, P. loisellei, P. insolitus, or comprising multiple distinct midlateral blotches or bars in P. ernestmagnusi, P. makira, P. grandidieri, and P. oligacanthus . Ptychochromis mainty displays little or no overlap of anterior supraneural relative to supraoccipital crest, versus marked overlap in some eastern congeners like P. makira and P. ernestmagnusi; in comparison to P. grandidieri, body depth as a percentage of standard length in P. mainty considerably less for similarly sized individuals and slope of head in profile less steep; further distinguished from P. grandidieri by fewer and more sparsely arranged teeth on second pharyngobranchial toothplate of upper pharyngeal jaw, vs. numerous, densely arranged teeth . : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern Madagascar cichlid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Southern Madagascar cichlid is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Southern Madagascar cichlid is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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