Protomelas
Encyclopedia
Protomelas is a genus
of haplochromine
cichlid
s endemic to Lake Malawi
in East Africa
. The genus is part of the haplochromine
tribe
and have maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism
typical of this group. Popular in the aquarium
hobby, Protomelas species
are sold under a variety of trade names.
The genus currently includes 15 species:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of haplochromine
Haplochromine
The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern and southern Africa...
cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s endemic to Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...
in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. The genus is part of the haplochromine
Haplochromine
The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern and southern Africa...
tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
and have maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
typical of this group. Popular in the aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
hobby, Protomelas species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are sold under a variety of trade names.
The genus currently includes 15 species:
- Protomelas annectensProtomelas annectensProtomelas annectens is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas dejunctusProtomelas dejunctusProtomelas dejunctus, the Fire Blue Hap, is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family.It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
– Fire Blue Hap - Protomelas fenestratus – Fenestratus Hap
- Protomelas insignis – One-and-a-half-stripe HapOne-and-a-half-stripe hapThe One-and-a-half-stripe Hap is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
- Protomelas kirkiiProtomelas kirkiiProtomelas kirkii is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas labridensProtomelas labridensProtomelas labridens is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas macrodonProtomelas macrodonProtomelas macrodon is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas marginatusProtomelas marginatusProtomelas marginatus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas marginatus vuae
- Protomelas pleurotaeniaProtomelas pleurotaeniaProtomelas pleurotaenia is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas similisProtomelas similisProtomelas similis is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas spilonotusProtomelas spilonotusProtomelas spilonotus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas taeniolatusProtomelas taeniolatusProtomelas taeniolatus is a utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby due to the bright rainbow-like colors of adult males and its relatively peaceful temperament. Juvenile and female P...
– Red Empress, Spindle Hap - Protomelas spilopterusProtomelas spilopterusProtomelas spilopterus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas triaenodonProtomelas triaenodonProtomelas triaenodon is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Protomelas virgatusProtomelas virgatusProtomelas virgatus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....