| Aristochromis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Aristochromis Trewavas, 1935 |
| Species: | A. christyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Aristochromis christyi | |
Aristochromis christyi is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae, which is endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. It is the only known member of its genus. [3]
A. christyi has an elongated body and an enlarged, bulbous head. The female and juvenile A, christyi are similar to each other in colour having mainly silvery bodies marked with longitudinal black lines one from which runs from the nape to the tail and with the other along the base of the dorsal fin. As the males reach sexual maturity they lose their stripes and the body colour changes to blue, at the same time the ventral fins change colour to orange in the breeding season. [4] This large, predatory fish grows to a length of 30 centimetres (12 in) total length. [5]
It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania where it is endemic to Lake Malawi. Within Lake Malawi A. christyi is a widespread species being found in areas where more rocky habitat gives way to sand, [6]
This is a piscivorous species and its main prey consists of other cichlid species, eating any prey which can fit into its mouth. [6] To feed A. christyi searches among rocks and when it finds prey it turns sideways and puts its sizeable, laterally compressed mandibles into rocky cracks capturing any small fish which may be hiding among the rocks. [5] Bothe males and females are territorial and solitary but females will enter male held territories to spawn, the males are polygamous and the eggs and young are mouthbrooded by the female. [4]
The specific name honours the English doctor and zoologist Cuthbert Christy (1863-1932), the collector of the type. [7]
Maylandia lombardoi, is a 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae. This species is popular in the aquarium hobby where it is sold under a variety of common names including: lombardoi mbuna, kenyi mbuna or kennyi mbuna or kenyi cichlid. This species is sometimes seen in the genus Metriaclima owing to a dispute in which a minority of cichlid researchers do not consider Maylandia valid (see Maylandia for discussion. The specific name honours the exotic fish dealer John Lombardo.
Nanochromis transvestitus is a sexually dimorphic cichlid endemic to Lake Mai-Ndombe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where they live at a depth of around 1 metre (3.3 ft). It feeds on small benthic invertebrates. This species reaches a length of 3.4 centimetres (1.3 in) SL. Unusually for cichlids, it is the female, not the male, that is the most colourful. The female has a vertical black and white banding on her anal and caudal fins, with a bright red abdomen. The male, by contrast, is grayish in colour. Like many cichlids, the male does, however, have longer anal and caudal fins. The fish are egg layers and make a nest in the substrate in which to lay their eggs. This species is particularly threatened by the practice of using mosquito netting to catch fish out of the lake as material with holes that small catches every species of fish in the lake regardless of size. The specific name is a derived from the Latin trans meaning "cross" or "over" and vestitus meaning "clothed", a reference to the reversal of the normal sexual dimorphism in that this species has drabber males and more colourful females.
Aulonocranus dewindti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika and some rivers which flow into it.
Nimbochromis livingstonii, Livingston's cichlid or (locally) kalingono, is a freshwater mouthbrooding cichlid native to Lake Malawi, an African Rift Lake. It is also found in the upper Shire River and Lake Malombe. They are found in inshore areas of the lake over sandy substrates.
Copadichromis borleyi is a species of haplochromine cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is popular in the fishkeeping hobby where it is frequently kept in aquariums. The species has numerous common names, including redfin and goldfin hap.
Pseudotropheus johannii or the bluegray mbuna is an African freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae.
The nkhomo-benga peacock, also known as the new yellow regal peacock, is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. This species is threatened by capture for the aquarium trade.
The flavescent peacock, also known as Grant's peacock, is a species of haplochromine cichlid. Its common name refers to its "flavescent" (yellowish) colour.
Copadichromis geertsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi.
Copadichromis verduyni is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi where it is found on the eastern shore and in the south eastern arm of the lake. It occurs in Malawi and Mozambique. This species inhabits the interface between sandy areas and rocky areas. Of all its congeners, this species defends the most cryptic spawning sites, these are found at depths of 9–15 metres (30–49 ft). The females and non-territorial males feed on plankton caught 1–3 metres (3.3–9.8 ft) above the lake bed and also on benthic invertebrates. Konings named this species after the Dutch cichlid dealer Dirk Verduyn (1942-2018).
Diplotaxodon greenwoodi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It occurs in the reef and shelf zones of the lake where it preys on small cichlids. The specific name honours the English ichthyologist Peter Humphry Greenwood (1927–1995).
Iodotropheus stuartgranti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. The specific name honours Stuart M. Grant (1937-2007), an exporter of cichlids from lake Malawi for the aquarium trade. This species feeds maonly on aufwuchs. The males are territorial and the female will lay anywhere within a male's territory.
Lethrinops christyi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known from the southern part of the lake. This species grows to a length of 18.3 centimetres (7.2 in) TL. The specific name honours the collector of the type, Cuthbert Christy (1863-1932), an explorer and naturalist.
Limnotilapia dardennii, the latticed cichlid, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it prefers rocky areas near the coast. It may also be found in the aquarium trade. This species is currently the only known member of its genus.
The pearl of Likoma is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae endemic to Lake Malawi where it is native to rocky areas around Likoma Island and it has been introduced to Thumbi West Island. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. Males are blue, while females are a greenish blue with rows of yellowish spots and shiny gills. They feed on crustaceans, insects, and larvae.
The fenestratus is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. This species can reach a length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. Protomelas fenestratus is a substrate blower. They blow away the substrate, to uncover insect larvae and crustaceans. They are characterized by vertical bars, and thin horizontal lines of varying darkness depending on location. The males blue colouration obscures the barring when dominant. The lattice like pattern on this fish's body is reminiscent of windows which is what the specific name fenestratus refers to.
Protomelas kirkii is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is most commonly found in areas vegetated with Vallisneria. This species can reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Chindongo demasoni is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known from the Pombo Rocks in Tanzanian waters. This species can potentially reach a maximum length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It is now commonly found in the aquarium trade.
Aulonocara koningsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is restricted to the waters around Mbenji Island and is therefore endemic to Malawi too. It is common in the restricted area in which it occurs but collection for the aquarium trade does not seem to have affected the population.
Maylandia flavifemina is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi.
