Pseudotropheus benetos
Pseudotropheus benetos was described in 1997 by Bowers and Stauffer, then known as Melanochromis benetos. Prior to description, they were referred to in books as Pseudotropheus sp. ‘tursiops chitande’.
The name benetos comes from ancient Greek and means ‘blue’, after the color of the adult males.
Description
The males are dark blue in color and grow to about 11 centimeters in length, possibly slightly longer in the aquarium. The females are slightly smaller, less blue in color and their fins are shorter and more rounded than those of the males.
Diet
With their pointed snout, they graze from the aufwuchs in cracks and crevices. Their mouth is adapted to this in such a way that they can reach the aufwuchs that are inaccessible to other species. This adaptation also ensures that they often graze differently on a flat surface. They then grab the aufwuchs with the side of their mouths.
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Mark Thomas – Marks Fiskenarie
References
