Lamprologus callipterus
| Lamprologus callipterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Tribe: | Lamprologini |
| Genus: | Lamprologus |
| Species: | L. callipterus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lamprologus callipterus Boulenger, 1906 | |
Lamprologus callipterus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it very actively moves about in search of crustacean and other invertebrates. Males of this species can reach a length of 12.4 centimetres (4.9 in) TL while the females only grow to 4.5 centimetres (1.8 in) TL (see below). This fish can also be found in the aquarium trade, though it is considered to be poorly suited for captivity.[2]
Physiology
These fish exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. Its males are significantly larger than females, the reason being that males of the species collect empty snail shells for the females to breed in. Therefore, males have to be large and strong enough to transport shells, while females have to be small enough to fit in the shells.[3] Immature males will form schools that may exceed 100 individuals. These schools roam around, leaving a trail of destruction as they feed on insect larvae, crustaceans, and juvenile cichlids.[4]
References
- ↑ Ntakimazi, G. 2006. Lamprologus callipterus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 April 2013.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Lamprologus callipterus" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
- ↑ Ota, Kazutaka; Masanori Kohda; Tetsu Sato (4 October 2010). "Unusual allometry for sexual size dimorphism in a cichlid where males are extremely larger than females". Journal of Biosciences. 35. doi:10.1007/s12038-010-0030-6. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ↑ Konings, Ad (1988). Tanganyika Cichlids. Holland: Verduijn Cichlids & Lake Fish Movies. p. 199-202.