Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Cynotilapia: Greek, kyon = dog + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 8.0 - 8.5; dH range: 15 - ?; depth range 3 - 30 m. Tropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 2060); 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Lake Malawi, indigenous to the central and northern parts of the Lake (Ref. 5622).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5622)
Dorsal spines (total): 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Diagnosis: Body moderately elongated and of medium depth (Ref. 88848). Dorsal profile of body rounded; fronted profile straight; jaws isognathous; due to evisceration, body depth likely to be altered (Ref. 88848). Caudal peduncle lowering caudad, narrower point near the base of caudal fin (Ref. 88848).
Found common in the upper part of the rocky biotope which is usually sediment-free (Ref. 5595). Males which are territorial mainly feed from the biocover on the rocks close to their homestead while others which are more gregarious feed on plankton (Ref. 5595).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Sexual maturity is reached at 6-8 months. Female mouth brooder.
Maréchal, C., 1991. Cynotilapia. p. 67-68. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5622)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01514 (0.00700 - 0.03275), b=2.97 (2.80 - 3.14), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).