| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | ACTINOPTERYGII | PERCIFORMES | CICHLIDAE |
| Scientific Name: | Trematocranus placodon |
| Species Authority: | (Regan, 1922) |
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least Concern ver 3.1 |
| Year Assessed: | 2006 |
| Assessor/s: | Kasembe, J. |
| Reviewer/s: | Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Programme) |
|
Justification: Endemic to Lake Malawi. This species has suffered a significant decline in abundance, probably due to trawling, in the southern part of the lake. The population is, however, widespread throughout the rest of the lake where there is no impact of commercial trawling. The species is therefore assessed as least concern. |
|
| Range Description: | Endemic to Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe as well as the Shire River. It has a wide distribution in both lakes and extends downstream in the Shire River as far as the Majete rapids. |
| Countries: |
Native:
Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of
|
| Range Map: |
(click map to view full version)
|
| Population: | No information available. |
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
|
| Habitat and Ecology: | Most common at around 5 m, often amongst Vallisneria beds, but also recorded down to 31 m. Feeds on small snails. Males defend large crater nests and the breeding season is from July to September. This species may be useful in controlling snails, which act as vectors for human schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Caught in seines, gill nets and trawls. Known as "Hpalochromis placodon" in the aquarium trade. Max. size: 23 cm TL. |
| Systems: | Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): | Localised over-fishing. |
| Conservation Actions: | No information available. |
| Citation: | Kasembe, J. 2006. Trematocranus placodon. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 February 2012. |
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