Lamprologus lethops

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Lamprologus lethops

Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Lamprologus
Species:
L. lethops
Binomial name
Lamprologus lethops
Map
IUCN distribution of Lamprologus lethops
  Extant (resident)
  Probably extant (resident)

Lamprologus lethops is a species of

standard length,[4] with females being somewhat smaller than males, is all whitish in color (non-pigmented), and essentially blind as adult, as their eyes are covered in a thick layer of skin (only retain a slight sensibility to light).[5][6] This is entirely unique among cichlids and an adaption to the perpetual darkness of its habitat, similar to the adaptions seen in cavefish.[4] The eyes of juveniles are rudimentary and not covered by skin.[6]

L. lethops is almost only known from the mainstream of the lower Congo River in the vicinity of Bulu; however very small numbers have been found up to 20–30 km (12–19 mi) upstream or downstream from this site.

gas-bubble disease due to the rapid change in pressure.[4] Consequently, when found at the surface they are usually already dead or die within minutes, although a minority may be saved by a special method where a needle is used to reduce the internal pressure.[4][7] Very small numbers have subsequently been kept in aquaria. Based on these, its behavior is essentially similar to that of its "normal-looking" relatives, like L. congoensis.[6][7] They have laid eggs in aquaria, which however did not hatch.[8]

Among other fish species with similar adaptations (reduced eyes and non-pigmented) found in similar habitats in the Congo River are an elephantfish (Stomatorhinus microps), a clariid catfish (Gymnallabes nops), a mochokid catfish (Chiloglanis sp.), two claroteid catfish (Notoglanidium pallidum and Platyallabes tihoni), and four spiny eels (Mastacembelus aviceps, M. brichardi, M. crassus and M. latens).[9][10] The closely related Lamprologus tigripictilis lives in shallow water in the exact same region as L. lethops, but it has normal pigmentation and eyes.[4]

References

  1. . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Norlander, Britt (April 20, 2009). Rough waters: one of the world's most turbulent rivers is home to a wide array of fish species. Now, large dams are threatening their future. Archived 2013-10-17 at archive.today Science World
  3. ^ Weisberger, Mindy (12 January 2020). "Dying Fish Revealed Congo Is World's Deepest River". livescience.com. LiveScience. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Lamprologus lethops" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
  6. ^ a b c Lucanus, Oliver (March–April 2014). "Aquatic Travel: Blind fishes from the Congo river". Amazonas Magazine. 3 (2).
  7. ^ a b Lucanus, Oliver (2013). "First Notes on the Husbandry of the Blind Cichlid Lamprologus lethops from the Congo River". Cichlid News. 22 (1): 6–11.
  8. ^ Proudlove, P.S. (2022). "Lamprologus lethops". Subterranean Fishes of the World. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  9. ^ Lucanus, Oliver (17 May 2012). "The Mexican Blind Cave Fish Isn't the Only Troglodytic Fish Available to Fishkeepers". Fish Channel. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  10. PMID 26472465
    .