Nimbochromis livingstonii

Last updated

Nimbochromis livingstonii
Adult male livingstonii.png
An adult male
Nimbochromis livingstonii.gif
A juvenile
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Nimbochromis
Species:
N. livingstonii
Binomial name
Nimbochromis livingstonii
(Günther, 1894)
Synonyms
  • Hemichromis livingstoniiGünther, 1894
  • Astatotilapia livingstonii(Günther, 1894)
  • Cyrtocara livingstonii(Günther, 1894)
  • Haplochromis livingstonii(Günther, 1894)
  • Paratilapia livingstonii(Günther, 1894)

Nimbochromis livingstonii, Livingston's cichlid or (locally)[ clarification needed ]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. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

The fish's unique hunting method gives it its local name, kalingono, which means "sleeper". [3] [4]

The generic name Nimbochromis is a combination of the Latin word nimbus and Greek chromis [2] Thus the genus could be translated as "clouded chromis", alluding to the fish's distinctive dark mottling (or "clouded" pattern) on white base coloration.

The identity of the person honoured in the specific name is not given in Günther's description but it is presumably Dr. David Livingstone (1813-1873) who was the first known European to discover Lake Malawi in 1856, collecting the first specimens of fish from the Lake. [5]

Morphology

The Livingston's cichlid is a laterally compressed fish with a large mouth. The maximum reported length of male fish in the wild is 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL while females reach 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. [2] The colouration is variable but typically mottled brown and white. The dorsal fin may be blue while maintaining an orange to red band and sometimes a white line. Adult males frequently "color up" in response to changing conditions and rapidly change from spotted camouflage to brilliant blues and greens, and may even exhibit a pale golden tone. Breeding males turn a dark blue which almost completely obscures their blotched pattern. The anal fin is usually orange to red. Females are similar, but usually lack the yellow "egg spot" markings on the anal fin. Juveniles display a brown and white spotted pattern.

Diet and feeding behaviour

Wild and Aquarium specimens have been observed to lie on the substrate as if dead, waiting for small fish to come close in search of a meal; the distinctive colouration of this species is said to mimic that of a dead fish, and may aid its disguise. When a suitable target comes into range, the fish quickly lunges at the prey and usually swallows it whole. [6] Wild fish feed primarily on small fish, in particular Lethrinops spp .

Reproduction

Males mate with multiple females; the female incubates up to 100 eggs in her mouth until they hatch and the fry becomes free swimming, [3] much like the Astatotilapia burtoni which is of the same tribe.

Economic importance

Nimbochromis livingstonii is used locally as a food fish and is also collected and traded as an aquarium fish.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Maylandia estherae</i> Species of fish

Maylandia estherae is a haplochromine cichlid. It is a rock dwelling fish or mbuna from Lake Malawi. This fish, like most cichlids from Lake Malawi, is a mouthbrooder - females hold their fertilized eggs then fry in their mouths until they are released after about 21 days.

<i>Maylandia lombardoi</i> Species of fish

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.

<i>Cyrtocara</i> Genus of fishes

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).

<i>Nimbochromis venustus</i> Species of fish

Nimbochromis venustus, commonly called venustus hap or giraffe hap, is a Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. It prefers the deeper regions of the lake where it hunts smaller juvenile cichlids with a specialised hunting technique. After spotting prey, it will partially submerge itself into the sand and lie motionless until the chosen fish comes within reach. it will then dart out of the sand and strike. It is related to Nimbochromis livingstonii. In the wild it is known to grow to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL though usually not exceeding a length of 22.5 centimetres (8.9 in) TL.

<i>Nimbochromis polystigma</i> Species of fish

Nimbochromis polystigma is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, in the Great Rift Valley system of Africa. This species prefers areas with rock/sand substrate or areas with plentiful vegetation. It can grow to a length of 23 centimetres (9.1 in) TL.

<i>Copadichromis borleyi</i> Species of fish

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nkhomo-benga peacock</span> Species of fish

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.

Copadichromis geertsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Convict julie</span> Species of fish

The convict julie is a cichlid species in the subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae family endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Hence it is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. The fish is named after Charles Tate Regan.

<i>Maylandia livingstonii</i> Species of fish

Maylandia livingstonii is a species of cichlid native to Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe. This species can reach a length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name of this fish honours the Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone (1813-1873).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearl of Likoma</span> Species of fish

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.

<i>Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus</i> Species of fish

Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe. Males of this species can reach a length of 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL while the females grow to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. It is an ambush predator and feeds on smaller cichlids. Females are smaller than males and a brownish color, while males are larger and blue in color. The species is a mouthbrooder that spawns readily in the aquarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenestratus</span> Species of fish

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.

<i>Protomelas kirkii</i> Species of fish

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.

<i>Chindongo demasoni</i> Species of fish

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.

<i>Pseudotropheus saulosi</i> Species of fish

Pseudotropheus saulosi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives in areas with rocky substrates. It is classified as a dwarf-mbuna and was first described by Ad Konings in 1990, who gave it the specific name saulosi in honour of Saulos Mwale who caught over 3,000 specimens in a single day on the expedition which collected the type. It comes from an area of the lake called Taiwan Reef, and from nowhere else. This fish can also be found in the aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric blue hap</span> Species of fish

The electric blue hap is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi. It prefers to live in caves and crevices in rocky substrates. This species can reach a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.

<i>Australoheros facetus</i> Species of fish

Australoheros facetus, formerly Cichlasoma facetum, the chameleon cichlid or chanchito, is a species of cichlid from the subfamily Cichlasomatinae which is native to northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil.

Maylandia flavifemina is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi.

<i>Hemichromis letourneuxi</i> Species of fish

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.

References

  1. Konings, A.; Kazembe, J.; Makocho, P.; Mailosi, A. (2019) [amended version of 2018 assessment]. "Nimbochromis livingstonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T60910A155045068. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T60910A155045068.en .
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Nimbochromis livingstonii". FishBase . April 2013 version.
  3. 1 2 "Nimbochromis livingstonii". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  4. "ID Play (k) 0:00 / 3:33 Nimbochromis Livingstonii Hunting Behaviour at Lions Cove - Rare Footage - Lake Malawi Cichlids". youtube.com . African Cichlid Hub. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  5. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (4 December 2018). "Order CICHLIFORMES: Family CICHLIDAE: Subfamily PSEUDOCRENILABRINAE (l-o)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  6. "Livingstoni Cichlid Livingston's Cichlid, Livingston's Hap, Livingstonii". Animal Web. Retrieved 29 December 2018.