Benthochromis

Benthochromis tricoti, males

Benthochromis ( Gr. " benthos " = depth " chromis " = old name for cichlids ) is a genus of the family of cichlids ( Cichlidae ), which is endemic in the East African Lake Tanganyika.

Features

Benthochromis species are 15 to 20 cm long, females stay smaller. The body of the fish is flattened elongated and laterally, the eyes large, the caudal fin is forked. Characteristic of the genus are the long extended pelvic fins of the males, which can reach more than 30 % of the standard length for Benthochromis tricoti, with the other two species but remain below 25% of standard length. The dorsal fin is long and is supported by numerous fin rays, 16 to 19 hard and 10 to 13 soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and 9-11 soft rays. The fish have 35 to 38 vertebrae.

Way of life

In contrast to most other Lake Tanganyika cichlids Benthochromis the species are not residents of the coastal rocky habitats, but live in large schools in open water, usually below a depth of 30 meters, and feed on plankton. They are mouth brooders and constitute a nut family.

Species

• Benthochromis Horii Takahashi, 2008.
• Benthochromis Melanoides (Poll, 1984).
• Benthochromis tricoti (Poll, 1948).