Nimbochromis venustus

Male

Venustus Nimbochromis ( Syn: Haplochromis venustus ), called in German also Goldstirn or peacocks mouthbrooders is a Lake Malawi endemic living there and widespread cichlid.

Features

Nimbochromis venustus reaches a maximum length of 25 cm ( females stay smaller) making it one of the larger members of its genus. His body height reaches 38.1 to 40.9 % of standard length, head length is from 32 to 33.8% of standard length, the length of the lower jaw reaches 36.3 to 40.8 % of head length. The base of the dorsal fin occupies 53.3 to 57.7 % of standard length. The mouth is terminal, is at an angle and wide. Females are sand yellow to ivory and have large, olive green to reddish-brown stains that can accept a rhombic shape. These spots do not show the male or only indistinctly. Their flanks are instead more or less monochrome curry to lemon yellow, the head of an intense blue. A golden yellow stripe extending from the upper lip on the nose and forehead region to the outer regions of the dorsal fin. The base of the dorsal fin is bluish. Juveniles resemble the females.

• Fins formula: Dorsal XVI-XVII/10-12, Anal III/9-10.
• Dandruff formula: MLR 32-35, SL 19-23/15-16.

Way of life

Nimbochromis venustus lives mainly in Sandlitoral of Lake Malawi and the Vallisnerienwiesen, young fish in shallow water near rocks, adult animals rather at depths below ten meters. The fish feed mainly on small fish, besides also of invertebrates. Juveniles were observed to have half buried in the sand for camouflage. Like almost all Malawiseebuntbarsche is Nimbochromis venustus a mouth brooders. The females take the eggs and over 100 young fish into the mouth. The males are polygamous.