| Copadichromis geertsi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Copadichromis |
| Species: | C. geertsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Copadichromis geertsi Konings, 1999 | |
Copadichromis geertsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi.
Copadichromis geertsi is a small to medium-sized cichlid, growing to a standard length of 12.8 centimetres (5.0 in), which shows two, occasionally just one, clear spots on the sides. The males are dark in colour with the upper body varying from light blue to yellow towards the head and on the dorsal fin. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus Copadichromis by the two spots, the colour of the breeding males being black with a pale blue to yellow flash on its head and back. The females and non-breeding males do not have the yellow colour in the anal fin seen females and non breeding males of the otherwise similar Copadichromis pleurostigmoides [2] and they are grey in colour with two black spots. [3]
Copadichromis geertsi is endemic to Lake Malawi along the eastern shore from the Nsinje River in Malawi) north as far as Thundu in Mozambique. It has only been recorded from four sites. [1]
Copadichromis geertsi is found in areas of softer substrates mixed with rocks at depths ranging between 25–50 metres (82–164 ft), and is only occasionally recorded at depths shallower than 25 metres (82 ft). The females are sometimes found foraging in groups in open water and single individual females will move between the territories held by the breeding males. This species feeds on small items that it takes from the water column. [1]
The breeding males excavate cave crater spawning sites in the mixed habitat below 25 metres (82 ft). [1] The spawning site is normally dug out from under and adjacent a rock and has a diameter of 50–200 centimetres (20–79 in). The territorial male digs out the sand from underneath the rock, piling it up and using it to construct a semicircular wall which surrounds the spawning site. The breeding males normally space their spawning sites 4 metres (13 ft) from each other. [4]
After the females have mated they mouthbrood the fertilised eggs for 30–36 days [3] and when they are ready they move into shallow water where join the schools of juvenile utaka which are frequently found above nests of kampango (Bagrus meridionalis), where they release the free swimming fry. [1]
Copadichromis geertsi is found in the aquarium trade, where it is sometimes called "Virginialis blotch". [2] They have been bred in captivity but wild caught adults are still available. [3] Overfishing using open-water seine nets, of a type called "chirimila nets" in Lake Malawi, is potentially a threat to this species. [1]
This species was named in 1999 by the Dutch ichthyologist and cichlid specialist Ad Konings, [5] in its specific name he honours Martin Geerts of the Dutch Cichlid Association in recognition of his scientific knowledge of cichlids and for the support he gave to Konings during a number of expeditions to Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika. [6]
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.
Cyrtocara moorii, commonly known as the hump-head, is a species of haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa where they prefer areas with sandy substrates. It can grow to a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. The species is popular among aquarium keepers where it is known as the hump-head cichlid, blue dolphin cichlid, Malawi dolphin or simply as moorii. It is currently the only known member of its genus. The specific name honours the English cytologist and biologist John Edmund Sharrock Moore (1870-1947).
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 hap and goldfin hap.
Pseudotropheus johannii or the bluegray mbuna is an African freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae.
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.
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 Chitande aulonocara is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi, only occurring in the north-west of the Lake near Chitande ISland. It occurs over habitats of mixed rock and sand and it feeds on benthic invertebrates. The males show territorial behaviour all year and defend their territories from other males. These territorial males are found in deeper areas around 15 metres (49 ft) while the non territorial males and the females are rarely seen below 3 metres (9.8 ft). Ripe females descend towards the males and spawning takes place in a cavity or, if the male's territory does not include a cavity, on the open sand. The specific name honours the British ichthyologist Ethelwynn Trewavas (1900-1993) of the British Museum who described a number of species of cichlid from Lake Malawi.
Buccochromis rhoadesii is a species of haplochromine cichlid. It is endemic to Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River in the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Copadichromis jacksoni is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. This species normally occurs in sheltered bays where it lives in schools in the open water and feeds on plankton. It breeds in clear water where there are steep, rocky shores and breeding seems to occur all year. The males defend territories over large boulders which project from the rocky substrate. The identity of the person honoured in the specific name was not specified by the author but is most likely to be the ichthyologist Peter B. N. Jackson (1924-2007) of the Joint Fisheries Research Organisation of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Copadichromis pleurostigmoides is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is found throughout the lake in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. This species is found inshore in both rocky and sandy areas. It breeds from April to August when the males defend spawning sites situated on top of flat rocks at depths of 20–40 metres (66–131 ft) in sediment rich areas of mixed rocks and soft substrates.
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).
Gephyrochromis lawsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to the northern part of Lake Malawi in Malawi and Tanzania. This species is normally found at deep levels where the steep, rocky coastlines meet sand substrates where it prefers patches of sand at average depths of around 20 metres (66 ft). They feed mainly on loose aufwuchs. The males are weakly territorial and will defend their territories against intruderswhile the females are solitary. It may be threatened by overfishing by fishermen using beach seine nets, although it is a bycatch rather than one of the target species, it is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade. The specific name honours the Scottish missionary Robert Laws (1851-1934).
Placidochromis hennydaviesae is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known from the southern portions of the lake. It is found in areas with muddy substrates at depths of from 71 to 100 metres. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. The specific name honours Henny Davies, the spouse of Peter Davies who was an exporter of fish from Lake Malawi.
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. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.
The red top williamsi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it occurs in areas with rocky substrates usually at depths of less than 2 metres (6.6 ft). This species can reach a length of 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name honours the Anglican missionary Joseph A. Williams who died by drowning in Lake Malawi in 1895, with Bishop Chauncy Maples, and who collected the type of the cichlid among others.
Rhamphochromis woodi is a species of piscivorous cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it prefers open waters at depths of from 8 to 121 metres. This species can reach a length of 42 centimetres (17 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name honours Rodney C. Wood, whose collection of cichlids from Lake Malawi, which included the type of this species, was presented to the British Museum.
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.
Hemichromis letourneuxi is a species of cichlid which is native to West Africa and is popular in the aquarium hobby and it has been introduced to the Caribbean and the south-east United States where it is invasive.
