Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Chromidotilapia: Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335); melaniae: Named for Melanie Stiassny, curator of fishes at the American Museum of Natural History (Ref. 50577).
Eponymy: Dr Melanie Lisa Jane Stiassny (d: 1953) is Curator of Fishes at the American Museum of Natural History. (See Stiaassny) (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Africa: Ogooue, Ngounie and Nyanga Rivers, and coastal regions of central and southern Gabon (Ref. 81260).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 50577)
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9; Vertebrae: 25 - 27. Diagnosis: 14-18 gill rakers on first gill arch; no large spots on flanks (Ref. 81260). 4-6 bands or 2 rows of dark blotches and short horizontal lines usually visible when stressed (Ref. 50577, 81260). Relatively robust (body depth 26.7-38.2%, mean 34.4% SL); lachrymal depth less than 21% HL (Ref. 81260). No iridescence on cheek, operculum and flanks (Ref. 50577).
Prefers smaller rivers and creeks; normally found near the banks where plenty of hiding spots are available; diet consists primarily of small particles, preferably plant matter, although shrimp eggs and insect larvae are also taken (Ref. 52307). Monogamous (Ref. 52307), pair-bonding, ovophilic, biparental mouthbrooding species (Ref. 52307, 81260).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
In aquaria, a monogamous, pair-bonding, biparental ovophilic mouth brooder. Eggs are deposited on hard substrate or on leaves and incubated by the female for the first 2 or 3 days; afterwhich incubation may be done by both male and female (but mainly by female) (Ref. 50577).
Lamboj, A., 2003. Chromidotilapia melaniae and C. nana, two new cichlid species (Perciformes, Cichlidae) from Gabon, Central Africa. Zootaxa 143:1-15. (Ref. 50577)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01445 (0.00674 - 0.03099), b=2.99 (2.82 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
