Diagnostic Description
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The new genus is distinguished from all other chromidotilapiine genera by a unique combination of characters. It possesses twelve scales around the caudal peduncle vs. (13 or 14 scales) in Limbochromis Greenwood 1987, (14-16 scales) in Chromidotilapia, Boulenger 1898, and (16 scales) in Benitochromis Lamboj 2001, Pelvicachromis Thys van den Audenaerde 1968 and Thysochromis Daget 1988. Among the remaining chromidotilapiine genera with twelve circumpeduncular scales this new genus is further distinguished from Congochromis Stiassny & Schliewen 2007 and Nanochromis Pellegrin 1904 by: an infraorbital series containing a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones, and a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. lachrymal and one tubular bone), plus the lateral line is clearly separated from the dorsal-fin base (vs. posterior part contiguous with the dorsal-fin base). It is distinguished from Divandu Lamboj & Snoeks 2000 by: an infraorbital series with a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones and a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. four tubular bones), only four openings of thelaterosensory system in the lachrymal bone (vs. five), the first ray of pelvic fin in adult females is of equal length or longer than second ray of this fin (vs. first ray always longer), being a pair-bonding cave breeder (vs. a mouthbrooder), and by well developed sexual dichromatism (vs. weakly developed). Finally it is distinguished from Parananochromis Greenwood 1987 by: an infraorbital series with a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones with a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. four tubular bones in some species of Parananochromis), juveniles with 3 or 4 rows of irregular dark brown to black dots on body (vs. maximum of 2 rows), and the first ray of pelvic fin in adult females of equal length or longer than the second ray of this fin (vs. second ray slightly longer or of equal length) (Ref. 81928).
Life Cycle
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In aquaria, the species is a monogamous, pair bonding, cave spawner. Eggs are guarded by both sexes, but more intensively by the female. Hatching occurs after three days post-spawn.Larvae are normally deposited on the bottom of the cave, rarely in other caves nearby the original cave. Juveniles are free swimming 8 or 9 days post-hatching, and are guarded by both parents for about 5 to 6 weeks. Breeding and guarding individuals of both sexes regularly exhibit more aggressive and intensive coloration. The dark, longitudinal stripe that is typical for breeding and guarding specimens of both sexes inmany other cave breeders of the chromidotilapiine lineage (e.g., Pelvicachromis, Congochromis, and Parananochromis) is prominently visible in males, but is more rarely and weakly visible in females. In thischaracter, females of Enigmatochromis differ from females of Pelvicachromis, Congochromis and Parananochromis, where a prominent dark, longitudinal stripe is typical for females (and only rarely for males) during the first 2 to 4 weeks when guarding fry (Ref. 81928).
Trophic Strategy
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The river is 3â6 meters wide, and during the dry season only 30â90 cm deep with water visibility ~1.2 m. Water parameters measured during the dry season in February, 2006 were: General hardness 0, Carbonate hardness 0, pH 5.8, and temperature 24° C.The site was ringed by dense forest and often fallen trees obstructing access to the water in many places.Margins of the river were densely overgrown by Anubias lanceolata, and exposed boulders and fallen trees have large clusters of Bolibitis heudelotti and other ferns. The river substrate consisted of fine gravelwith a few larger rocks and boulders. Dense growths of Vallisneria were found where sunlight penetratedthrough the trees (Ref. 81928).
Biology
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Where it was collected, Enigmatochromis lucanusi occured syntopically with Pelvicachromis humilis (Ref. 81928).
Enigmatochromis lucanusi
provided by wikipedia EN
Enigmatochromis lucanusi is a species of cichlid known only from the Foto River, an affluent of The Konkouré River near Fria, Guinea.
This species grows to a length of 4.5 centimetres (1.8 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus.[1] The specific name honours the friend of the author, Oliver Lucanus, a collector and aquarist who supplied Lamboj with information on where to look for this species.[2]
Taxonomy
The etymology of the genus can be divided into two sections. The first component, Enigmato refers to the word Enigma and chromis (ˈkrō-məs) is a Greek term meaning "fish". This namesake of enigma comes from the species’ similarities to the compositional coloration in many members of the genus Pelvicachromis while sharing a similar external body morphology to that of the genus Parananochromis. It would later be ruled out of Pelivicharomis because E. lucanusi only possesses 12 scales on the caudal peduncle while Pelvicachromids possess 16. It was distinguished from Parananochromis by its infraorbital section (area under the eye) which possessed one less orbital bone than that of many species in Parananochromis.[3]
Initial Importation in The Ornamental Fish Trade
Upon its arrive through the aquarium fish trade in 2004 to USA, Canada, and Europe, many assumed this species to be of the genus Pelvicachromis because of its similarities in coloration to that of Pelvichachromis rollofi and females of Enigmatochromis will present a red abdomen which all females of Pelvicachromis possess during times of defense or spawning. Many aquarists could see a difference in speciation to what was present in taxonomic literature at that time. This would result in the open-nomenclature title of Pelvichachromis sp. “Blue Fin”. The temporary title was given by aquarium fish importer, Oliver Lucanus who chose this title based on the fact, “…we could see the fish from the shore with a bright blue fin” when initially collecting them in Guinea. Pelvichachromis sp. “Blue Fin” would become officially erected as Enigmatochromis lucanusi by Lamboj in 2009.[3]
Sexual Dimorphism
Determining gender in adult specimens is noticeable by several differences in sexual dichromatism. One of the most discernible ways to determine gender in adult specimens is the crimson red that can be seen on the abdomen of territorial females. This characteristic of dimorphism with similar body morphology of Pelvicachromis, would cause confusion of initial ornamental fish importers in 2004. Males have a yellow dorsum while females possess a brightly colored iridescent blue dorsum, though they both share red margins towards the top of the dorsal fin. Multiple black dots are prominent on the dorsal and caudal fins of male specimens though the number of these dots are subject to variability. Females will have at most, two dots located on the dorsal fin and will have a completely translucent caudal fin. Males are also noticeably larger than their female counterparts when sexually mature.
References
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Enigmatochromis lucanusi: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Enigmatochromis lucanusi is a species of cichlid known only from the Foto River, an affluent of The Konkouré River near Fria, Guinea.
This species grows to a length of 4.5 centimetres (1.8 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus. The specific name honours the friend of the author, Oliver Lucanus, a collector and aquarist who supplied Lamboj with information on where to look for this species.
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