| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
11.72 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Lake Malawi (Ref. 82798). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. A medium-sized cave-dwelling haplochromine with relatively deep body with greatest body depth at base of eighth or ninth dorsal spine (Ref. 82798). Otopharynx spelaeotes has a larger eye, 36.1-38.4% of head length, than most other Otopharynx species, and it has fewer lateral-line scales, 31-33, than Otopharynx argyrosoma (Ref. 82798). It differs from Otopharynx lithobates by having more teeth in the outer row of the left lower jaw (18-24), fewer gill rakerson the ceratobranchial (11-13) and by the male breeding coloration that includes yellow/orange ocelli on the anal fin and a blue/black dorsal fin with a very narrow white margin with orange/red lappets (Ref. 82798). It is distinguished from Otopharynx antron by a larger horizontal eye diameter (36.1-38.4% of head length), a shallower caudal peduncle, and more teeth in the outer row of the left lower jaw (Ref. 82798). |
| Biology: |
This species has a preference for large caves and is therefore often found in rocky habitats that consist of large boulders (Ref. 82798). Most individuals are seen solitary and often at a depth of more than 10m (Ref. 82798). The mode of feeding consists of scavenging material lying on the rocky substrate of their environment (Ref. 82798). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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