TAXONOMY

KINGDOM      Animalia

PHYLUM        Chordata

CLASS           Actinopterygii  (ray-finned fishes)

ORDER          Percifomes  (Perch-likes)

FAMILY         Cichlidae  (Cichlids)

GENUS/SPECIES  Katria katria

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Katria katria  has a unique pattern of two prominent black vertical bars on an iridescent golden background. Max length: 5.5 cm (2 in).

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT

One of 17 cichlid species indigenous to Madagascar.

Lives in freshwater pools, slow flowing runs and rapids with predominantly sand and gravel substrate, with a few very large rocks.

 

DIET IN THE WILD

Omnivorous.

 REPRODUCTION

Substrate spawner. Pairs of Katria have been observed guarding either eggs or small juveniles close to the top of the rocks in the Nosivolo Rver in November, 2005.

 

CONSERVATION STATUS

IUCN List: Vulnerable.

This species has a restricted distribution within the Nosivolo and Mangoro rivers, but its habitat is in very good condition and it does not have to deal with either exotic predators or competitors. Given the lack of evidence for decline in quality of habitat or population size (it is a very common species within its range), this species is assessed as vulnerable on account of its restriction to a single location.

 

LOCATION

Rainforest Madagascar MA04

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