Description

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Diagnosis: A medium-sized, laterally spotted haplochromine distinguishable from all previously described Otopharynx species by its more elongate body, its depth 24.3-28.6% of standard length; the next-most-elongate species are Otopharynx decorus, depth 29.4-33.3% of standard length, and O. lithobates, depth 29.5-34.4% of standard length; all others have a body depth larger than 31% (Ref. 119408). Otopharynx styrax is further separated from O. decorus by its longer caudal peduncle, length/depth 2.0-2.3 vs. 1.5-1.6 in O. decorus, and its narrower lower pharyngeal bone, the lateral edges of the horns diverging at about 70° vs. 79-87° in O. decorus; it is further distinguished from O. lithobates by the absence of dark spots on the dorsum below the dorsal-fin base vs. 4-6 distinct dorsal midline spots in O. lithobates, and longer caudal peduncle, length/depth 2.0-2.3 vs. 1.3-1.7 in O. lithobates (Ref. 119408).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Otopharynx

Species: Otopharynx styrax Oliver, 2018

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Life cycle and mating behavior

Habitat

benthopelagic