Morphology Data of Congochromis dimidiatus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Stiassny, M.L.J. and U.K. Schliewen, 2007
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile clearly convex
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Description: body elongated; snout and caudal fin rounded in both sexes; females smaller than males and possess shorter dorsal, anal and pelvic fin rays; pelvic fins always slightly rounded in females, always pointed in males (Ref. 52307). Hypurals 3 and 4 fused with the urostyle; hypurals 1 and 2 remain autogenous (Ref. 72415).

Coloration: body grayish to brownish in most specimens, although reddish patterns may be present (most often in dorsal and anal fins) in certain populations. Depending on behavioural situation, 2 dark longitudinal stripes may be visible on the body (especially in submissive and non-territorial specimens, but also in breeding ones); these stripes sometimes irregular, forming 2 rows of dark blotches; females with broad silvery to white band in dorsal fin, absent or very thin in males; ripe females with orange belly; in males, entire caudal and soft dorsal and anal fin with pale dots (Ref. 52307).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Congochromis dimidiatus

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 26 - 27
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 9
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 25 - 25

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes extending over most of the back length
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 17 - 17
Soft-rays total 7 - 7
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total
Soft-rays total 6 - 6

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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