Dr. Gerald (Gerry) Robert Allen, Australien
Info
Pseudochromis viridis is a cryptic species that lives hidden on fringing coral reefs and is only endemically known from the Australian territory of Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean.
In situ photos of the species are currently not available online.
Dwarf perch of the family Pseudochromidae are protogynous hermaphrodites and form small harems of one dominant male and several females.
The biology of this dwarf perch is not known.
Dwarf cichlids are bidirectional sex changers, i.e. the sex can be changed in any direction. From birth all fry are female, if two females are put together, then the stronger fish changes to male and changes species specific possibly the colors/fin shape. The sex change lasts from (w to m) 18-56 days. If a mating of two males takes place, then the sex change lasts 52-93 days and it can come over a longer period to massive fights. If there are color variations associated with the sexes, then in the case of two males, the reverted female will take on a cloudy coloration.
Scientifically the sex change is proven in Pseudochromis flavivertex, Pseudochromis aldabraensis and Pseudochromis cyanotaenia in experiments. It can be assumed that the sex change can take place in the same way in the remaining Pseudochromis species.
Etymology:
The species name "viridis" comes from the Latin meaning "green" and refers to the coloration of the dwarf perch.
Etymology:
The genus name "Pseudochromis" is derived from the Greek "pseudes" meaning "false" and "chromis" meaning "a fish, perhaps a perch".
In situ photos of the species are currently not available online.
Dwarf perch of the family Pseudochromidae are protogynous hermaphrodites and form small harems of one dominant male and several females.
The biology of this dwarf perch is not known.
Dwarf cichlids are bidirectional sex changers, i.e. the sex can be changed in any direction. From birth all fry are female, if two females are put together, then the stronger fish changes to male and changes species specific possibly the colors/fin shape. The sex change lasts from (w to m) 18-56 days. If a mating of two males takes place, then the sex change lasts 52-93 days and it can come over a longer period to massive fights. If there are color variations associated with the sexes, then in the case of two males, the reverted female will take on a cloudy coloration.
Scientifically the sex change is proven in Pseudochromis flavivertex, Pseudochromis aldabraensis and Pseudochromis cyanotaenia in experiments. It can be assumed that the sex change can take place in the same way in the remaining Pseudochromis species.
Etymology:
The species name "viridis" comes from the Latin meaning "green" and refers to the coloration of the dwarf perch.
Etymology:
The genus name "Pseudochromis" is derived from the Greek "pseudes" meaning "false" and "chromis" meaning "a fish, perhaps a perch".
