Protomelas insignis (Trewavas, 1935)
One-and-a-half-stripe hap

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  20.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Endemic to the southern part of Lake Malawi.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 32-32. Diagnosis: distinguished by the prominence of the posterior part of the mid-lateral and the anterior part of the dorsolateral stripes; further distinguished from P. spilonotus by the lower number of gill rakers (Ref. 267). Description: medium-sized species (Ref. 267). dominantly unicuspid outer dentition (Ref. 55954). Caudal fin lunate (Ref. 267). Coloration: plesiomorphic melanin pattern, known from a few specimens measuring up to 135 mm SL (Ref. 267).
Biology:  Mainly found on rocky areas cleared of sediment. Feeds on eggs (Ref. 5595).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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