Mahanara-Buntbarsch

Blotched Madagascar cichlid

Ptychochromis loisellei

The blotched Madagascar cichlid changes its body colour during the mating season. Its rather plain blue-green colouration turns into a vibrant golden yellow.

Red List

Endangered

The blotched Madagascar cichlid is a species of cichlid endemic to northern Madagascar. Its already very small range, covering an area of only around 5,000 km², is being severely affected by deforestation. This leads to increased soil erosion and, consequently, sedimentation in the water bodies. Furthermore, the species is vulnerable to overfishing and competing, introduced fish species.

Given its conservation status, breeding programmes are of crucial importance for this species.

Taxonomy

Cichlids (Cichlidae), genus Ptychochromis (10 species)

Habitat

lakes and rivers

Behaviour and ecology

in small shoals, mixed-sex

Diet

insects, molluscs, crustaceans, algae