Abactochromis labrosus

Abactochromis
Abactochromis labrosus
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Abactochromis
Oliver and Arnegard, 2010[2]
Species: A. labrosus
Binomial name
Abactochromis labrosus
(Trewavas, 1935)
Synonyms

Melanochromis labrosus

Abactochromis is a genus of cichlid fish containing a single species, Abactochromis labrosus (formerly known as Melanochromis labrosus).[2] The genus name combines the Latin for "driven away from" ("ab" - away from, "actus" - driven) with the commonly used haplochromine name "chromis". The name encompasses both the origin of the genus (the species was "banished" from the genus Melanochromis) and the fish's solitary, wandering behaviour (as if it had been driven away from the other cichlids).[3]

A. labrosus is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater Lake Malawi. The largest known wild specimen (shown in the photo at right) had a standard length (without caudal fin) of 119 mm (4.7in).

References

  1. ^ Kasembe, J. (2006). "Melanochromis labrosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/61120. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Oliver, M.K., and M.E. Arnegard (2010). "A new genus for Melanochromis labrosus, a problematic Lake Malawi cichlid with hypertrophied lips (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 21 (3): 209–232. 
  3. ^ Michael K. Oliver, Ph.D.. "Abactochromis labrosus". The Cichlid Fishes of Lake Malawi, Africa. http://malawicichlids.com/mw09004.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2010.