The holotype of Melanochromis xanthodigma (Penn State
University, PSU 2656.1, an adult male 81.6 mm SL), from Masinje (north of
Makanjila Point), Malawi. This is one of two
closely similar species that were formerly known as
Melanochromis "blotch." According to
Bowers & Stauffer (1997), this
opportunistic feeder can be distinguished from its close relative,
M. baliodigma,
by having five to seven yellow ocellae on the anal fin,
instead of only two to four. Both species have two horizontal stripes
and seven to nine brown vertical bars; the bars, reportedly, tend to be
wider in M. xanthodigma.
Illustration by M. Katz, from fig. 12 of
Bowers & Stauffer (1997);
used with the kind permission of Dr. Nancy Bowers.
| Last Update: 18 January 2000
Web Author: M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. Copyright © 1997-2021 by M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |