Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi (Pellegrin 1928)

Description: moderately deep-bodied, especially in old males; frontal profile straight to slightly concave; caudal fin rounded; rays in dorsal, anal and pelvic fins of males often much more elongated than those of females and those of congeners (Ref. 52307).Coloration: juveniles and females: body grayish to brownish, often with 2, usually broken, longitudinal stripes on body, along with a black bar running from eye to corner of mouth; when stressed, several dusky bars may become visible, running from dorsum to about midbody (Ref. 52307). Adult males: head dark bronze; lower lips and parts of cheeks metallic blue; body blue with rows of red dots that are usually connected to form 3 red lines in posteriormost third of body and caudal peduncle; dorsal fin red with broad black margin in anterior (spiny) parts, blue dots and lines in soft portion; caudal fin dark red with many blue maculae and short lines; outer edge of anal fin deep red, rest of fin reddish with blue lines and dots; pelvic fin rays much more elongated that those of its congeners, dark red to dusky with a pale blue anterior edge; females do not possess any of the aforementioned coloration (Ref. 52307).

Ovophilic, agamous maternal mouthbrooder; no pair-bonding takes place (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi is a species of cichlid native to the Congo Basin in Africa. As other members of the genus Pseudocrenilabrus, it is a mouthbrooder. This species can reach a length of 8.5 centimetres (3.3 in) SL. The specific name honours the American ichthyologist John Treadwell Nichols (1883–1958) who was curator of fishes at the American Museum of Natural History. Nichols originally described this species as Paratilapia ventralis in 1928 but this name had already been used by George Albert Boulenger for another species of cichlid in 1898.