THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

158 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
for small fish but also take invertebrates as opportunity
presents.
Reproduction and Development: (The
following extended narrative is intended
as a sampling of the complex reproductive
behavior of cichlids, a distinctive feature of the
family that has promoted their evolutionary
success.)
Marakely are monogamous, biparentally
custodial substratum spawners. Pairs defend a
territory and overt courtship begins a few days
before spawning. Both sexes assume velvety
black base coloration as spawning approaches;
both also excavate gravel pit and increasingly
exclude other fish from area. Pair spawns on
bottom of excavated pit, placing eggs directly
upon the gravel; each ovoid egg has a long
adhesive fiber that adheres to other egg fibers,
forming a rope of eggs (up to a thousand) rolled
into an egg mass. Male patrols perimeter of
territory. Fry become fully mobile four days
post-hatching. Both parents are actively involved
in their defense, following the school of fry,
retrieving stragglers by mouth and spitting them
back into the school. Parental care continues for
about three weeks.
Remarks: A Marakeley captive breeding program
is supported by many aquariums and zoos.
Mtoto Zebra
Lamprologus brevis zebra (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Africa: endemic to Lake
Tanganyika.
Habitat: Sandy bottom areas with shells.
Appearance: Golden tan with darker
verticalstripes on the sides, yellow and white
accents on fins, and pale yellow markings
on the face. Males longer than females and
somewhat more robust. Max. length: c. 6 cm.
Diet: Tiny brine shrimp, other zooplankton
and organic bits.
Reproduction and Development: Bonded
male and female spawn and protect eggs and
fry in a carefully chosen and stoutly defended
shell. Fry stay close to the shell for the first 3
weeks. Breed readily in captivity.
Remarks: See Black Calvus for more information
on Lake Tanganyika.
Jaguar Cichlid
Parachromis (Nandopsis) managuensis
(Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Central America: Honduras to
Costa Rica.
Habitat: Lakes, with preference for turbid
water and mud bottoms; also found in springs
and ponds over detritus and sand bottoms.
Appearance: Body has a light background with
black markings all over; series of large black
spots on along the sides. Males tend to be larger
and have pointed anal and dorsal fins. Length:
males to 40 cm; females to 30 cm.
Diet: Small fishes and invertebrates; a voracious
predator that makes a meal of any fish small
enough to fit into its unusually large mouth!
Reproduction and Development: Oviparous,
spawns in batches. Female lays eggs on an open,
flat surface such as slate. After fertilization, the
female fans the eggs and the male guards the
site. Both are aggressive defenders of young.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: 15+ years.
Remarks: Highly regarded as a food fish.
Like all cichlids, have well-developed
pharyngeal teeth.
Popular in the aquarium market, probably their
route to Florida introduction through pet release.
Common Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Africa: Endemic to southeastern
Nigeria and the coastal zone of southern
Cameroon.
Habitat: Warm brackish or freshwater, both
slow and fast moving. Prefers areas with gravel
or sandy substrate and dense vegetation.
Appearance: A small (dwarf) cichlid with
several color morphs such as yellow, red,
green, blue and even an albino variety. Both
sexes have dark longitudinal stripe running
from the mouth to the caudal fin and pink
to red abdomens. Gold-rimmed eyespots are
common on dorsal and caudal fins. Male is
larger, with more elongate and pointed pelvic,
anal and caudal fins. Max. size: males, 11 cm;
females, 7 cm.
Diet: Diatoms, green algae and other plants;
also small worms, crustaceans and insects.
Reproduction and Development: In the