Tropheops sp. Band

Tropheops sp. Band

Tropheops sp. Band is an as yet undescribed species. This variant was first recorded by Ribbink in 1983, then as Pseudotropheus tropheops ‘band’ and Pseudotropheus tropheops sp. ‘no band’. In 2001, Konings changed the name to Tropheops sp. ‘band’ and dropped ‘no band’. He assumes it is one species.

Description

The males have a yellow color, especially around the head. The abdomen turns into gray blue towards the tail. A number of vertical dark stripes are visible on the flank. In dominant males, these stripes become paler.

There are two species that compete for space at the place of origin. Tropheops sp. Band and Tropheops sp. No Band. This “Band” designation refers to the black stripe in the male’s dorsal fin. The males with the black band in the dorsal fin are on average one centimeter larger than the males without a black band. The females are indistinguishable from each other. In both cases they are light gray/brown with yellow in the fins.

The larger males are larger and therefore somewhat stronger than their smaller cousins. As a result, Tropheops sp. No Band are much rarer. Research must show whether these are really two separate species or whether they are variants of the same species.

Origin

Nkhata Bay, Malawi.

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Mark Thomas – Marks Fiskenarie

References

Malawicichliden in hun natuurlijke omgeving 3e oplage – blz. 217-218 – Ad Konings