Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Rhamphochromis: Greek, rhamphos = bill, peak + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335). More on author: Regan.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; depth range 8 - 121 m (Ref. 55949). Tropical, preferred ?; 9°S - 15°S, 33°W - 36°W
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 20 - ? cm
Max length : 42.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5689)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Diagnosis: large, predatory-looking species; very large mouth and big stout teeth; eye seems very small compared to scaled area of cheek beneath; upper surface of the tip of the premaxilla often extends almost horizontally for a considerable distance when viewed in profile (Ref. 55949).
Found in inshore reef and shelf zones, and offshore in the pelagic zone (Ref. 55949). Few specimens were collected near rocky shores. Occurs in small groups (Ref. 5595). Piscivorous (Ref. 5595, 55949). Female mouthbrooder (Ref. 55949).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Rhamphochromis. p. 422-424. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and 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. 5689)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
More information
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundance
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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