THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

wild, breeds in holes excavated under aquatic
vegetation. Female protects eggs, male defends
territory. During the spawning season the
female sports a brilliant red belly. The species
breeds readily in aquaria; today virtually all
Kribensis available in the pet trade are captive
bred.
Mortality/Longevity: Preyed upon by larger
fishes. Life span: c. 5 years.
Remarks: This shy fish digs and hides in
burrows or shelters in vegetation.
Orinoco Angelfish aka Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: Amazon basin,
in the upper Rio Negro drainage; Orinoco
River basin.
Habitat: Rivers.
Appearance: Extremely compressed silvery
body with two broad dark vertical bands. Remarkably
long trailing pelvic fins. Altum refers
to the dramatic height of their dorsal and anal
fins. Length to 18 cm.
Reproduction and Development: External
fertilization. Monogamous; pairs persist until
partner dies or is separated. Clutch-tending
guarders.
Mortality/Longevity: Preyed upon by other
fishes. Subject to bacterial diseases and protozoan,
fungal and worm infestations.
Remarks: Popular in the pet aquarium trade
due to its unique appearance.
Rarely spawn in captivity.
Their narrow profile allows altums to hide
between tree roots in water along riverbanks.
Freshwater Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: Amazon and
River basin.
Habitat: Swamps and flooded forests in dense
riverine vegetation.
Appearance: Disc-shaped, laterally compressed
body with vertical dark stripes. Long training
pelvic fins, and elongate dorsal and anal fins.
Max. length: 18 cm.
Diet: Benthic crustaceans and small fish.
Remarks: Same as Altum Angelfish above.
California Academy of Sciences
159
East Coast Saroy
Ptychochromis grandidieri (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Eastern drainages of Madagascar.
Habitat: Fresh water in areas of high forest as
well as brackish water.
Appearance: Up to 21 cm long. Goldenyellowish
or greenish.
Reproduction & Development: Egg layers;
both male and female care for fry. Rate of
breeding would allow population to double
in less than 15 months.
Conservation Status: Not endangered.
However, environmental degradation is widespread
throughout their range, and in some
localities numbers are greatly reduced.
Lionhead Cichlid
Steatocranus casuarius (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Africa: Malebo Pool (Stanley
Pool) and the Lower Congo River basin.
Habitat: Freshwater, in still water zones of fast
flowing streams; demersal.
Appearance: Length to 10 cm. Males have a
bump on head. Blotchy coloration.
Diet: Small invertebrates and minimal amount
of algae.
Reproduction and Development: Pairs bond
for life. Fertilization is external. The female
produces 20–150 eggs, which are typically
laid in caves; eggs and young are guarded by
both parents.
Remarks: An under-developed swim bladder
and its habit of swimming with a sudden,
jerky movement adapt this species to live
in fast current. The lionhead cichlids, now
found in the large Cafe tank, typically hide
out under the wood and vegetation in the
center of the tank.
Golden Tilapia
Tilapia brevimanus (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Native to western Africa.
Aquacultured in southeastern U.S.
Habitat: Fresh to brackish water.
Appearance: Yellowish-grey, with 8–9 dark
bars on back and sides. Upper side of head
dark brown; dark band running from eye to
corner of mouth. Pectoral fins transparent;