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
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
  1. Ntakimazi, G. (2006). "Lamprologus callipterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T60549A12378585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60549A12378585.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Lamprologus callipterus" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
  3. 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.
  4. Konings, Ad (1988). Tanganyika Cichlids. Holland: Verduijn Cichlids & Lake Fish Movies. pp. 199–202.


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