Xenochromis hecqui is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It is mainly found at depths of 6–100 m (20–328 ft),[2] but has been recorded somewhat deeper, even in waters virtually devoid of oxygen.[3] This species is a scale eater, consuming the scales off of other fishes, but will also feed on copepods.[2] It can reach a total length of up to 30 cm (12 in). Currently it is the only known member of its genus.[2] The specific name honours the Belgian Lieutenant Célestin Hecq (1859-1910), a member of the Belgian colonial forces fighting the slave trade who collected the type of this species.[4]
Xenochromis | |
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Illustration from Boulenger's species description (1899) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Genus: | Xenochromis Boulenger, 1899 |
Species: | X. hecqui
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Binomial name | |
Xenochromis hecqui Boulenger, 1899
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Synonyms | |
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