Anomalochromis thomasi (Boulenger 1915)

Description: mouth small; snout rounded to pointed (Ref. 52307). Outer jaw teeth mixed uni- and bicuspid, inner jaw teeth unicuspid, pharyngeal jaw teeth bicuspid; micro-gill rakers present; scales ctenoid (Ref. 53405).Coloration: yellowish, with 6 black cross bars and a wide, black, opercular blotch; first bar located above opercular spot, the following 3 more or less distinctly prolonged unto dorsal fin, the third and sixth inflated at midpoint; distal margin of spinous part of dorsal fin light; no "tilapian" mark at beginning of soft part of dorsal fin, a character allowing distinction of this species from young Tilapia; pelvic fins dark with outer rays black (Ref. 53405). Dorsal, caudal and anal fins clear to pale bluish with small dots and/or lines; pelvic fins bluish to violet with a darker anterior edge; large black spot can usually be seen in the body's center, but can disappear at times; body scales typically with a blue iridescent center; some rows of small red spots may be present on anterior areas of body; when courting or aggressive, body coloration becomes brighter and scale centers become more intense, making entire fish appear bluish; when spawning, color pattern really changes as 5-6 dark vertical bars appear (with 1st running directly through eye) and gain intensity as broodcare progresses; as bars get darker, all other colors get toned down and fish looses its brilliance, becoming rather dusky in appearance; black bars rarely visible during non-spawning situations (Ref. 52307). Two other morphs are described from aquarium imports: (1) believed to have come from Guinea; black spot in middle of body more ovoid (vs. rounded); dorsal region with a black dot on every scale; basic body coloration more pale yellowish; most notable feature is presence of black bars on body in nearly every situation, these bars also broader and more intense during breeding; if not for the small pale bars in between, dark bars would sometimes make entire fish appear black (Ref. 52307). (2) based on a single specimen, possibly also from Guinea; body light brown with iridescent yellow on opercles and flanks; black lateral spot extremely small; body scales with bluish centers; thin longitudinal stripe sometimes visible (Ref. 52307). It is not clear whether these color morphs are really morphs of one species or represent separate species (Ref. 52307).

Bacterial Infections (general). Bacterial diseases

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9

Prefers shallow and muddy waters in savannah-like areas, with water temperatures approaching 30°C during the dry season; also found in waters bordering forested areas; when stressed or disturbed, the species will hide in the mud, sometimes up to 30 cm deep; biparental, open substratum spawner (Ref. 52307). Maximum recorded TL was 6.5 cm (Ref. 5599).

fisheries:

Anomalochromis is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae, containing the single species Anomalochromis thomasi, the African butterfly cichlid. It is a small cichlid growing to a length of 6–8 centimetres (2.4–3.1 in). The natural habitat of A. thomasi is Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, mainly in smaller streams. The fish are typically found in slightly acidic, oxygen rich water with other west African cichlid genera such as Hemichromis and Pelvicachromis.

This species is found in forest streams, shaded by dense overhanging vegetation where the water is heavily stained with tannins from decaying organic matter and is coloured like tea. In these streams the temperature of the water can approach 30 °C (86 °F) in the dry season. It can also occur in streams in forest edge habitats. Under stress or when disturbed A. thomasi can bury itself in the mud, occasionally down to 30 centimetres (12 in). They form pairs which spawn into the substrate. These pairs are territorial, the female selects a laying site on a leaf or flat rock which she and the male clean and after laying the brood is mainly cared for by the female, although the male sometimes relieves her. After hatching the young are moved to one of a number of depressions in the substrate created by their parents. The fry will be moved to several of these pits in the 72 hours from hatching until they become free swimming.

The specific name of this species honours the English aquatic technician W. Thomas (born 1965, the collector of the type.