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Protomelas marginatus (Trewavas, 1935) |
| Family: | Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 16.6 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Previously, two subspecies were recognized: Protomelas marginatus marginatus (southern end of the lake) and Protomelas marginatus vuae (northern end of the lake). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 15-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11 | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits shallow vegetated areas. Feeds on algae and debris of vascular plants. Ingestion of small invertebrates is possibly incidental (Ref. 267). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||