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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Labidochromis: Greek, labidos = pair of forceps + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 13614); 9°S - 12°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the north-western coast of Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5653)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Has similar dentition to that of L. vellicans but inner teeth unicuspid, Body is more elongated, snout shorter, and coloration different. Possesses a pattern of orange-brown horizontal stripes along flanks but different from other species in its dorsal and caudal fin markings, very dark brown coloration in males, and head shape.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Is abundant in shallow water, mainly over rocks, and occurs down to a depth of 12 m. Feeds primarily on chironomid larvae, but also feeds on trichopteran larvae, ostracods and other small invertebrates (Ref. 4889).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Labidochromis. p. 210-217. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5653)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
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 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
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).
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