Mylochromis chekopae Turner & Howarth, 2001
photo by Turner, G.F.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  12.24 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; depth range 18 - 45 m,
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi, occurs in the southern part (Ref. 41276).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Having a higher number of lateral line scales (36-37 vs. 30-35) compared to other species of Mylochromis, except M. formosus, M. gracilis, M. spilostichus and M. melanonotus. Differs from M. gracilis and M. spilostichus in having a complete oblique band.; from M. ensatus and M. formosus in having a deeper body (31-38% SL vs. 26-30); and wider interorbital (22-26% HL vs. 18-21); and from M. melanonotus in having a group of enlarged blunt teeth in the center of the lower pharyngeal bone (Ref. 41259).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow, sandy shores; in shallower part of range it is the most abundant species; feeds on cladocerans, copepods and algae (Ref. 41276).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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