Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Labeotropheus: Latin, labeo = one who has large lips + Greek, tropaion = defeat, a memorial of a fighting war, trophy; because of their specialized teeth were such an obvious feeding adaptation (Ref. 45335); candipygia: The specific epithet combines the Latin adjective for white or brilliant, candidum, and the new Latin noun pygia, meaning rump or buttocks; this refers to the bright white or bluish-white ventrum of the males (Ref. 128773).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Africa: Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 128773)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: Labeotropheus candipygia differs from all other species of Labeotropheus by the typical nuptial colouration of the males: male L. candipygia have a distinct iridescent silvery-blue or silvery-white ventral surface; this unique colouration extends from the branchiostegals to the anus in all individuals, and will extend to through the caudal peduncle to the ventral attachment of the caudal fin in some individuals; above this silvery-white ventrum, males are ochreous orange, which covers most of the head and can extend to the base of the dorsal fin, and extends posteriorly through the caudal peduncle to the base of the caudal fin, or they will be a dull greyish blue with ochreous-orange highlights on the scales of the dorsum; both colour patterns feature a brilliantly iridescent white dorsal fin that has ochreous-orange tips, and patches of iridescent blue, black, orange, or red pigmentation (Ref. 128773). Labeotropheus candipygia differs from the slender-bodied Labeotropheus, L. trewavasae, L. simoneae, L. chirangali, except L. rubidorsalis, due to its greater body depth, 32.0-38.6% of standard length vs. 26.3-33.4% in L. trewavasae, 26.9-30.8% in L. simoneae, 26.6-33.2% in L. chirangali; it does have a generally deeper body than L. rubidorsalis, although the ranges overlap, 31.6-36.1% in L. rubidorsalis; It differs from L. rubidorsalis primarily in the nuptial colouration of the males, but also by a generally shorter snout length, 19.7-33.9% of head length vs. 29.8-42.7%, a longer snout pad, 11.3-19.2% of head length vs. 10.3-14.4%, and a greater number of tooth rows in the upper jaw, 4-6 vs. 3-4 (Ref. 128773). Labeotropheus candipygia differs from the other robust-bodied Labeotropheus primarily via male nuptial colouration (Ref. 128773). While the morphometric and meristic values largely overlap with the other robust Labeotropheus, there are some distinctions: Labeotropheus candipygia has a greater distance between the tip of the snout and the origin of the dorsal fin, 32.2-36.8% of standard length vs. 30.8-33.8%, a shorter distance between the insertion of the dorsal and anal fins, 13.9-16.7% of standard length vs. 16.5-17.4%, and fewer teeth in the left side of the lower jaw, 23-24 vs. 31-43, than L. fuelleborni; it typically has a shorter snout, 19.7-33.9% of head length vs. 25.2-40.8%, greater rostral length, 35.1-49.7% of head length vs. 22.9-43.7%, and a larger snout pad, 11.3-19.2% of head length vs. 7.4-16.1%, than L. artatorostris; it has a narrower interorbital width, 32.7-42.8% of head length vs. 40.1-43.5%, and typically fewer infraorbital neuromasts, 13-33 vs. 25-40, than L. chlorosiglos; it differs from L. obscurus due to a shorter distance between the insertions of the dorsal and anal fins, 13.9-16.7% of standard length vs. 15.8-17.8%, a shorter distance between the insertion of the dorsal fin and the origin of the anal fin, 27.4-31.7% of standard length vs. 30.3-33.2%, a typically shorter lower jaw, 21.5-39.4% of head length vs. 27.6-40.4%, more rows of teeth in the upper jaw, 4-6 vs. 3-4, more teeth in the left half of the lower jaw, 23-34 vs. 20-26, and fewer infraorbital neuromasts, 13-33 vs. 22-46 (Ref. 128773).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Pauers, M.J. and T.B. Phiri, 2023. Six new species of Labeotropheus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the Malawian shore of Lake Malawi, Africa. Ichthyology & Herpetology 111(2):264-292. (Ref. 128773)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = No PD50 data [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
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).
