Like most cichlids, the pinstripe damba is characterised by biparental brood care (i.e. both parents are involved) and highly seasonal reproduction.
The pinstripe damba was only discovered and described in the 1990s in a lake in northern Madagascar. Shortly afterwards, however, it disappeared from its original habitat due to overfishing for human consumption and competition from non-native fish.
In 2006, scientists discovered another population in Lac Tseny, also in northern Madagascar. This lake is the last natural habitat of the Pinstripe damba.
In Europe and the USA, there are a number of breeding programmes designed to ensure the survival of this species.
Taxonomy
Cichlidae, genus Paretroplus (13 species)
Behaviour and ecology
in small shoals
Diet
molluscs, crustaceans, plankton
