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); nana: Named in reference to the relatively small adult sixe of this species when compared with congeners (Ref. 50577).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Africa: known only from the type locality, the Mougalaba River (Nyanga system), in southern Gabon (Ref. 81260).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.9 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81260)
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: 15-17 rakers on first gill arch; 2 large rounded to slightly elongated spots on flanks usually visible, sometimes with 1-2 small dark spots between the large ones; lachrymal depth greater than 22% SL (Ref. 81260). Usually a single row of teeth in both jaws (Ref. 50577, 81260).
Usually found in small groups of up to ten individuals; prefers more open areas over sandy bottoms, but always remains near shelter; diet composed mainly of aufwuchs and detritus; sand and mud are also sifted for edible bits, as are the organic layers covering rocks and wood (Ref. 52307). Monogamous (Ref. 81260), pair bonding, ovophilic, biparental mouthbrooder (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 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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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): 3.2 ±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).
