Aulonocara baenschi

(Meyer & Riehl, 1985)

Vernacular names
English : Nkhomo-Benga peacock
French : Paon jaune

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Cichliformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Cichlidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Males can reach 13 cm in length. Females are usually smaller. Adult males display a bright golden-yellow coloration with dark and shiny blue area on chin, lips and cheeks. Bright blue bands on tail and dorsal fins. Faint vertical bars on flanks.

Range and habitat
This species is endemic to Lake Malawi (Africa) and occur around the localities of Chipoka, Maleri Islands, Nkhomo and Usysia. Occurs above sandy bottoms with scattered rocks, down to 16 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species was common but has been heavily collected for the trade to the point of being nearly gone from most of its range now.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Cichlids and relatives” page