Pelvicachromis roloffi (Thys van den Audenaerde 1968)

Diagnosis: body depth 37.1-40.5% of standard length; dorsal fin with several dark spots, the last 3 ones larger and darker than the others; caudal fin with a black spot at base (Ref. 53405).Description: relatively deep-bodied, with rounded head and rounded caudal fin (Ref. 52307). Teeth conical, outer teeth in a single row, inner teeth in 3 rows; gill rakers lanceolate and short; no micro-gillrakers; snout rounded; mouth small; pharyngeal jaw teeth bicuspid; scales cycloid; pelvic fins pointed in males, rounded in females; caudal fin rounded or slightly asymmetric in males (Ref. 53405).Coloration: in live: males: ground colouration bright violet, belly whitish, back greyish-brown; broad longitudinal band running from snout to caudal-fin base, not always distinct; pectoral and pelvic fins transparent, pelvics dark anteriorly; dorsal, anal and caudal fins yellowish-brown; anal fin dark-edged; series of dark spots on dorsal fin, last 3 ones larger and darker than others; caudal fin covered with dark spots (Ref. 53405). Body scales with dark margins (Ref. 52307). Females: general colouration violet, lower part of body more brightly coloured than upper part; area below eye yellowish; pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 53405). Pelvics deep black (Ref. 53405) or dark violet (Ref. 52307). Dorsal, anal and caudal fins golden red; dorsal fin with series of dark spots as in males, caudal fin dark-spotted; rarely with longitudinal band on sides (Ref. 53405). Silvery iridescent zone anterior of red belly often visible (Ref. 52307).

Spawns in caves.

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7

Found primarily in smaller rivers and creeks, although it may also be found in shallows waters near the banks of larger rivers; pair-bonding cave spawner (Ref. 52307).

fisheries: