Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Chromidotilapia: Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335); mrac: Named after MRAC, the abbreviation for Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium, one of the most important institutions working on African fishes (Ref. 47112).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Africa: Ogooue and Nyanga basins, and coastal regions north of Libreville, Gabon (Ref. 81260).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 47112)
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 24 - 27. Diagnosis: 12-16 rakers on first gill arch; 2 large rounded to slightly elongated spots on flanks usually visible, sometimes with 1-2 small dark spots between the large ones; 2-3 rows of teeth in both jaws; lachrymal depth less than 18.2% SL (Ref. 81260). Pattern of dark blotches on body (Ref. 47112).
Seems to prefer sheltered areas near riverbanks; diet mainly consists of detritus, aufwuchs, shrimp eggs and small insects (Ref. 52307). Monogamous (Ref. 47112), pair bounding female larvophilic mouth brooder, which spawns in caves (Ref. 47112, 52307, 81260).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Chromidotilapia mrac is a monogamous, pair bounding female larvophilic mouthbrooder, which spawns in caves (Ref. 47112). Eggs are incubated by the female alone for 3 days, after hatching the larvae are carried by the female for 9-10 days in the buccal cavity (Ref. 47112). When free swimming the juveniles are protected by the adults for a duration of about 4-5 weeks (Ref. 47112).
Lamboj, A., 2002. Chromidotilapia mrac, a new species of Cichlidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) from Gabon. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 13(3):251-256. (Ref. 47112)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [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): 3.3 ±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).