Pelvicachromis sacrimontis

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Pelvicachromis sacrimontis
P sacrimontis day1.jpg
P. sacrimontis pair with fry
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Tribe: Chromidotilapiini
Genus: Pelvicachromis
Species:
P. sacrimontis
Binomial name
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis
(Paulo J, 1977)
P sacrimontis map.png
"Distribution of P. sacrimontis"

Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family known only from a small area of southeastern Nigeria. Currently Fishbase considers this binomial to be a junior synonym of P. pulcher [1] and, it was also known as Pelvicachromis camerunensis, P. pulcher "form B" or P. sp. aff. pulcher but some authorities now consider it to be a valid species. [2] It is occasionally available in the tropical fish trade as "giant krib" and there are three colour morphs – red, green and yellow. And are the most colorful of the Pelvicachromis family. Today its popularity increases due to more order demands by aquarium hobbyists.

Contents

Male specimen Pelvicachromis sacrimontis male.jpg
Male specimen
Female specimen Pelvicachromis sacrimontis female2.jpg
Female specimen

General

Male Sacrimontis Pelvicachromis Sacrimontis male.jpg
Male Sacrimontis

P. sacrimontis grows to a length of approximately 10 centimetres (3.9 in) with adult males some 15–25% larger than females. Sexual dimorphism and dichromatism is well developed. The body is generally brown and darker above than below. A broad dark mid-lateral band from the posterior edge of the operculum extending to the middle parts or the end of the caudal fin is almost always visible. A black dorso-lateral band reaches from the front of the head to about the end of the dorsal fin and is separated from the mid-lateral band by a pale, whitish to yellowish band of equal or lesser depth than the dark mid-lateral band. All specimens of P. sacrimontis have a dark spot on the outer edge of the operculum which is often bordered by light blue iridescent margins. There is a dark inter-orbital stripe and a second dark stripe from the anterior edge of the eye to the upper margin of the upper lips. A bluish iridescent stripe runs from the angle of the mouth to the posterior edge of the cheek. The upper edge of eye is golden-yellow. The pelvic fins have a blue margin on the anterior edge followed by a red then a blue submargin. The rest of the pelvic fin is reddish to violet. The pectoral fins are clear to pale yellowish. Some individuals have a few black spots in the upper parts of the caudal fin and/or in the soft dorsal fin parts. The caudal fin is rounded in both sexes. Some rays in the posterior parts of the dorsal and anal fins are pronounced, but always much longer in males. The red blotch on the belly can disappear in submissive or stressed specimens. [3]

Male specific characteristics

The first pelvic fin ray is always longest in males with the tip of the pelvic fin reaching the anterior base of the anal fin or beyond giving the fin a pointed appearance. The dorsal fin has a red margin followed by a white submargin and black base in the anterior parts and a greyish to clear base in the posterior parts. The caudal fin is clear to pale reddish with a red margin on the upper half followed by a white or iridescent blue part. The anal fin has a red margin on the anterior edge with the rest of fin blue/violet. Three colour morphs are distinguishable:

  1. Yellow morph – yellow to bluish cheeks and a yellow throat, flanks and vent. Has a red blotch on the belly
  2. Red morph – bright red on lower half of head including lower lip, the whole vent and the flanks until almost to the origin of the anal fin
  3. Male and female Sacrimontis Sacrimontis couple.jpg
    Male and female Sacrimontis
    Green morph – greenish parts corresponding to those that are yellow in the yellow morph [3]

Female specific characteristics

In females the first ray of the pelvic fin is shorter or of equal length to the second ray giving the fins a rounder appearance. There is no clear distinction between females of the three colour morphs. The dorsal fin is without a margin. The spiny portion is pale, dark and dusky orange whilst the soft parts are yellowish to clear in most posterior regions. The spiny parts can be dark grey to blackish when courting (see photograph of female). The caudal and anal fin are transparent to pale yellow. The lower caudal body parts are grey to black. Females have a bright red belly which becomes paler after spawning and whilst in breeding coloration. The flanks and breast are pale yellow to bluish as are the lower opercula and sub-opercular region of the head. The flanks are blackish in aggressive and courting females of all colour morphs. [3]

Taxonomy

P. sacrimontis was first described in the monthly journal of the German Cichlid Association (DCG-Info) by Joachim Paulo in 1977 as part of an article on Pelvicachromis kribensis . [4] As this description referenced an iconotype the taxon lacked a type specimen. Although this publication did not present a complete diagnosis according to Lamboj (1999) it constituted a valid description following the applicable articles of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. For a long time the validity of this taxon was either not recognized or the name was defined as an “unjustified substitute“ for Pelvicachromis camerunensis, a name that appeared in Thys van den Audenaerde (1968) but was a commercial name that was not available (Daget et al. 1991). The use of Pelvicachromis camerunensis is doubly confusing given that this species is not found in Cameroon. Nevertheless, specimens of this species were mentioned in Thys van den Audenaerde (1968) as P. pulcher "form B" or P. sp. aff. pulcher and recognized as being a distinct species, different from P. pulcher mainly in colouration patterns. [3]
P. sacrimontis was redescribed by Anton Lamboj and Christopher Pichler in their 2012 paper with a neotype and paraneotypes being assigned from specimens held in The Royal Museum for Central Africa. [3]

Etymology

The etymology of this species is as follows:

This name is a Latin translation of "Heiligenberg". Walter Heiligenberg was a German biologist cited by Paulo in his original 1977 description of the species. [3]

Distribution

This species is only known from the Niger and Cross river systems in the southeastern parts of Nigeria. The neotype was collected at Chokoche, Imo River, Rivers State, 04° 59' N, 07° 59' E [3]

Habitat

Detailed descriptions of the locations P. sacrimontis is found in are not available so the precise nature of its habitat is unknown. [3] It is exported for the aquarium hobby along with P. pulcher in mixed batches and very likely shares the same or similar habitat. [4]

Related Research Articles

This glossary of ichthyology is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in ichthyology, the study of fishes.

<i>Pelvicachromis</i> Genus of fishes

Pelvicachromis is a genus of small, brightly coloured cichlids from tropical West Africa and Central Africa. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water.

<i>Pelvicachromis pulcher</i> Species of fish

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family, endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. It is popular amongst aquarium hobbyists, and is most commonly sold under the name kribensis, although it has other common names, including various derivatives and color morphs of the kribensis: krib, common krib, red krib, super-red krib and rainbow krib, along with rainbow cichlid and purple cichlid.

Broadfin sawtail catshark Species of shark

The broadfin sawtail catshark is a common species of catshark, part of the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found on or near the bottom at depths of 150–540 m (490–1,770 ft), from southeastern Japan to the East China Sea. A slender species growing to 68 cm (27 in) long, this shark is characterized by a fairly long, pointed snout, a series of indistinct, dark saddles along its back and tail, and a prominent crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal edge of its caudal fin. In addition, adult males have very long claspers that reach past the anal fin. The broadfin sawtail catshark is an opportunistic predator of bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, with immature and mature sharks being primarily piscivorous. It is oviparous and reproduces year-round.

Dwarf sawtail catshark Species of shark

The dwarf sawtail catshark is a little-known species of catshark, belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae, found exclusively in the deep waters off Luzon in the Philippines. Unlike other members of its genus, this slender, diminutive shark has a short, rounded snout and very short furrows at the corners of its jaws. It has indistinct darker saddles beneath each dorsal fin and two dark bands on the caudal fin, as well as a prominent crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the upper caudal fin margin.

<i>Brachypterois serrulata</i> Species of fish

Brachypterois serrulata, the sawcheek scorpionfish or pygmy lionfish, is a species of scorpionfish native to the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Paracetopsis</i> Genus of fishes

Paracetopsis is a genus of whale catfishes found in tropical South America.

Zebra mbuna Species of fish

The zebra mbuna is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. This species can reach a length of 11.3 cm (4.4 in). It feeds on aufwuchs, a surface layer of mostly algal material that grows on rocks. This cichlid is a mouthbrooder and the female broods the eggs in her mouth for about three weeks. This fish can sometimes be found in the aquarium trade.

Longfin trevally Species of fish

The longfin trevally, also known as the longfin kingfish, longfin cavalla or armed trevally, is a species of inshore marine fish in the jack family, Carangidae. The species is common in tropical to subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from South Africa in the west to Japan in the east, typically inhabiting inshore reefs and bays. The species is easily distinguished by its elongate dorsal and anal fin lobes and filamentous dorsal rays, as well as its scaleless breast. Longfin trevally are pelagic predators, taking a variety of small fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, and reach sexual maturity at around 21 cm. The species has a maximum known length of 57 cm and weight of 3.5 kg. The longfin trevally has a very complex taxonomic history which is closely intertwined with another currently valid species, Carangoides ciliarius, which may yet prove to be synonymous. Longfin trevally are of minor importance to fisheries throughout their range and are considered good table fish, and are occasionally taken by anglers.

Pseudanthias heemstrai, the orange-headed anthias, Heemstra's anthias or redhead anthias is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the genus Pseudanthias, the subfamily Anthiinae of the family Serranidae, the groupers and sea basses. It is endemism to the Red Sea. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 13 cm in length.

<i>Cephalopholis fulva</i> Species of fish

Cephalopholis fulva, the coney or the butterfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is in the family Serranidae which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the western Atlantic. It is associated with reefs and is a quarry species for commercial and recreational fisheries. It can be found in the aquarium trade.

<i>Cephalopholis spiloparaea</i> Species of fish

Cephalopholis spiloparaea, known commonly as the strawberry hindstrawberry rock cod, strawberry cod or orange rock cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is in the family Serranidae which also includes the anthias and sea basses. This fish occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Climacoporus navalis, the fleet klipfish, is a species of clinid found in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of South Africa where it can be found in tide pools. This species can reach a maximum length of 7 centimetres (2.8 in) TL. It is currently the only known member of its genus.

<i>Clinus agilis</i> Species of marine fish

Clinus agilis, the agile klipfish, is a species of clinid found in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Namibia to South Africa where it is commonly found in estuaries and tide pools. This species can reach a maximum length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in).

The phallic catshark is a little-known species of catshark, belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found on or near the ocean floor, in the deep waters off New Caledonia and Vanuatu. A slender species attaining a length of 46 cm (18 in), it is characterized by a long caudal fin bearing a crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal margin, and very long claspers in adult males. This shark is gray-colored, with four dark saddles along the back and tail.

<i>Clinus venustris</i> Species of fish in the family Clinidae, the Speckled klipfish

Clinus venustris, the speckled klipfish, is a species of clinid that occurs in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Namibia to South Africa where it is found in the subtidal zone as well as being a denizen of tide pools. This species can reach a maximum length of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) TL. and feeds primarily on amphipods, isopods, mysids, and echinoderms.

<i>Epinephelus sexfasciatus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus sexfasciatus, the sixbar grouper, sixbar rockcod or six-banded rockcod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pelvicachromis silviae is a species of cichlid in the genus Pelvicachromis. It is found in the Niger River, in the same region as congeners Pelvicachromis pulcher and Pelvicachromis taeniatus.

Trachurus delagoa, the African scad, is a species of jack mackerel from the family Carangidae which is found in the south western Indian Ocean.

Placidochromis boops is a species of deep-water African cichlid endemic to the southern portion of Lake Malawi. This species can reach a length of up to 11.2 centimetres (4.4 in) SL.

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2018). "Pelvicachromis pulcher" in FishBase . June 2018 version.
  2. ↑ Anton Lamboj (2004). The Cichlid Fishes of Western Africa. Bornheim, Germany: Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag. p. 183. ISBN   3-928819-33-X.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lamboj, Anton; Pichler, Christopher (2012). "On the validity of Pelvicachromis sacrimontis Paulo, 1977 (Perciformes, Cichlidae), with designation of a neotype, and redescription of the species". Zootaxa. Magnolia Press. 3436: 61–68. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 Judy, Ted (2012), "Cichlid World – The Giant Krib (Pelvicachromis Sacrimontis)", Tropical Fish Hobbyist , TFH Publications, November 2012: 30–32, retrieved 12 January 2015
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