Stigmatochromis

Stigmatochromis woodi

Stigmatochromis ( Gr. " stigma" = spot; Chromis, a genus of damselfish in the formerly cichlids were incorporated ) is a cichlid genus, which is endemic in Lake Malawi in East Africa.

Features

Stigmatochromis species are 9-25 cm long and have as predators an elongated, laterally strongly flattened body and a terminal deeply cut mouth. The lower jaw protrudes slightly. Characteristic of the genus are three dark spots on the sides of the body, the first under the front, overhead portion of the lateral line, the second between the two parts of the lateral line and the third on the caudal peduncle. However, a similar three- spot pattern also occurs in the genus Otopharynx, which is also endemic to Lake Malawi.

Stigmatochromis species may be of a bluish, bluish - yellow or silvery shimmer.

Reproduction

Like almost all cichlids of Lake Malawi are the Stigmatochromis types agame mouthbrooders, ie only one gender, in this case, the female takes over the mouth brood care.

System

There are six types described:

• Stigmatochromis macrorhynchos Stauffer, Cleaver Yoder & Konings, 2011
• Stigmatochromis melanchros Stauffer, Cleaver Yoder & Konings, 2011
• Stigmatochromis modestus ( Günther, 1894)
• Stigmatochromis pholidophorus ( Trewavas, 1935)
• Stigmatochromis pleurospilus ( Trewavas, 1935)
• Stigmatochromis woodi ( Regan, 1922)

Uncertain is whether it really is a valid type for Stigmatochromis pleurospilus. The type specimen and only known individual of Stigmatochromis pleurospilus is a 4 cm long juvenile fish from the northern part of Lake Malawi.