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Protomelas kirkii (Günther, 1894) |
| Family: | Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 18 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: Occurs in the south-east arm of Lake Malawi and upper Shire River. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 14-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Vertebrae: 30-30. Differs from P. marginatus and P. similis in having a group of enlarged pharyngeal teeth and from P. labridens in having a straight snout profile and a larger mouth, with the lower jaw one third or more of the head length. | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits shallow vegetated inshore areas of the lake where it is commonly found around patches of Vallisneria. Feeds on invertebrates including the small gastropod, Gabiella stanleyi (Ref. 267). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||