''Anomalochromis'' is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae, containing the single species ''Anomalochromis thomasi'', the African butterfly cichlid. It is a small cichlid growing to a length of . The natural habitat of ''A. thomasi'' is

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierr ...

, Liberia and Guinea, mainly in smaller streams. The fish are typically found in slightly acidic, oxygen rich water with other west African cichlid genera such as '' Hemichromis'' and ''

Pelvicachromis ''Pelvicachromis'' is a genus of small (), brightly coloured cichlids from tropical West Africa and Central Africa. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water ( pH 5.6 – 6.9). All species form monogamous pairs and use caves as spawning sites. M ...

''. This species is found in forest streams, shaded by dense overhanging vegetation where the water is heavily stained with tannins from decaying organic matter and is coloured like tea. In these streams the temperature of the water can approach in the dry season. It can also occur in streams in forest edge habitats. Under stress or when disturbed ''A. thomasi'' can bury itself in the mud, occasionally down to . They form pairs which spawn into the substrate. These pairs are

territorial A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...

, the female selects a laying site on a leaf or flat rock which she and the male clean and after laying the brood is mainly cared for by the female, although the male sometimes relieves her. After hatching the young are moved to one of a number of depressions in the substrate created by their parents. The fry will be moved to several of these pits in the 72 hours from hatching until they become free swimming. The specific name of this species honours the

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

aquatic technician W. Thomas (born 1965, the collector of the type.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q387375 Hemichromini Fish described in 1916 Taxa named by Humphry Greenwood Cichlid genera Monotypic ray-finned fish genera

See also

References