Fenestratus (Protomelas fenestratus)

Scientific name: Protomelas fenestratus Trewavas, 1935

The Fenestratus (Protomelas fenestratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Africa, Endemic to the northern end and the southwest arm of Lake Malawi.

Fenestratus care at a glance

Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 31. Distinguished from P. taeniolatus by the more strongly marked pattern of longitudinal and vertical black stripes and in having fewer and larger teeth in the outer row of the upper jaw and on the lower pharyngeal bone, in having more fleshy lips which partly obscure the posterior teeth of the upper jaw, and in having fewer gill rakers, with the anterior ones very low and blunt. Differs from P. virgatus in not having the posterior teeth of the two inner rows of the lower pharyngeal enlarged.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Protomelas fenestratus
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 8.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Endemic to the northern end and the southwest arm of Lake Malawi.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)