Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Telmatochromis: Greek, telma -atos = swamp + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 8.0 - 9.0; dH range: 10 - 20; depth range ? - 20 m (Ref. 6770), usually 6 - 12 m (Ref. 118184). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 13614); 3°S - 9°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.2 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5704)
Are not light shy and swim in the open. Have been discovered over many types of rock substrates even in very muddy water. Lives in rather deep water for such small species, specimens having been found as deep as 20 m, although they seem to prefer a range between 5 and 10 m. Always solitary. Omnivorous. Feeds on microorganisms and small fish (Ref. 6770). Aufwuchs eater (Ref. 54948). Forms temporary pair bonds; the male defends the territory while the female takes care of her offspring (Ref. 7343).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Spawns in caves.
Maréchal, C. and M. Poll, 1991. Telmatochromis. p. 474-478. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5704)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5156 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01862 (0.00830 - 0.04177), b=3.01 (2.82 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.2 ±0.1 se; based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec=60;).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).