Lamprologus callipterus
Lamprologus callipterus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it very actively moves about in search of crustaceans 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]
| Lamprologus callipterus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Lamprologus |
| Species: | L. callipterus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lamprologus callipterus Boulenger, 1906 | |
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". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T60549A12378585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60549A12378585.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; 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 (2): 257–265. doi:10.1007/s12038-010-0030-6. PMID 20689182. S2CID 12396902.
- Konings, Ad (1988). Tanganyika Cichlids. Holland: Verduijn Cichlids & Lake Fish Movies. pp. 199–202.