| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlinae |
| Max. size: |
15.03 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater, |
| Distribution: |
Africa: only known from the Louna River (Lefini River affluent, middle Congo River basin) in Republic of Congo (Ref. 92878). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Diagnosis: Congolapia louna differs from C. bilineata and C. crassa by having more gill rakers on first ceratobranchial, 13 vs. 8-10 in C. bilineata and 8-11 in C. crassa (Ref. 92878). It further differs from C. bilineata by having two complete scale rows between the upper lateral line and the base of the last dorsal spine and one additional row of very small scales in-between vs. one complete scale row and one additional scale row with smaller dorso-ventrally compressed scales between the upper lateral line and the base of the last dorsal spine; and a longer last dorsal spine, 12.9-15.0% of standard length vs. 9.4-13.2% (Ref. 92878). It further differs from C. crassa by lower body depth with only a minimal overlap, 37.4-42.1% of standard length vs. 40.4-48.4% (Ref. 92878). All scales cycloid; 26-27 scales on horizontal line; 18-21 upper lateral line scales; 9-10 lower lateral line scales (Ref. 92878).
Colour: Background colour light olive-green to greyish, chest and belly whitish; lower half of head whitish to light yellowish, and upper half of head brownish olive; upper and lower lip whitish; iris dark brown (Ref. 92878). Yellowish lachrymal stripe extending from lachrymal to jaw angle; black opercular spot (Ref. 92878). Pectoral fin at base light brownish, pelvic and anal fin greyish; dorsal fin greyish, no 'tilapia spot'; caudal fin greyish (Ref. 92878). |
| Biology: |
Collected in fast flowing water over a sandy bottom (Ref. 92878). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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