Protomelas pleurotaenia (Boulenger, 1901)

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  14.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 10 m
Distribution:  Africa: Endemic to Monkey Bay and Nkhata Bay in Lake Malawi.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 33-33. P. pleurotaenia is relatively small, attaining about 115 mm SL. Differs from P. kirkii, P. labridens, P. similis, P. marginatus, and P. spilonotus in the small mouth which is less than 33% of the head length. Like P. kirkii and P. labridens it has some enlarged pharyngeal teeth. Caudal fin emarginate.
Biology:  Found in vegetated areas between rocks and sand. Feeds on invertebrates that it locates in the sand by blowing into the upper sediment layer (Ref. 5595).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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