freshwater fish family endemic nigeria species popular commonly sold species common names including derivatives color common red super red rainbow rainbow purple species popular description wild male grow maximum length approximately centimetres maximum weight grams females smaller deeper bodied growing maximum length maximum weight sexes dark longitudinal stripe runs caudal fin mouth pink red intensity changes courtship breeding dorsal caudal fins bear gold eye spots males colour populations collected single juveniles approximately months age distribution habitat predators native southern nigeria coastal areas occurs warm acidic neutral soft water populations occur outside natural range hawaii usa product ornamental fish trade species inhabits slow fast moving water found patches dense vegetation available fish share habitat include species species species species prey number predators including perch natural habitat observed defending caves dug underneath plants holes breeding claim territories live large non reproductive diet despite suggestion literature species feeds worms crustaceans insects analysis stomach contents wild suggests incorrect study individuals showed main food items green algae pieces higher plants blue green algae invertebrates consumed found relatively uncommon food items wild fish sexual reproduction like species sexually males pointed pelvic dorsal anal fins female pelvic dorsal anal fins rounded appearance addition males larger lack gold dorsal fin elongated shaped caudal fin despite suggestion literature species forms pairs formation uncommon natural habitat species secretive cave detailed information reproductive biology wild limited wild species known breed holes excavated beneath aquatic semi aquatic plants captivity artificial caves readily accepted breeding sites excavated prior egg laying eggs frequently laid rows upper surface cave produce clutch ranges size male female provide active brood care typically lasting days includes guarding feeding noteworthy female predominantly responsible care male primarily involved territorial defence species gender ratio female male increases ratio known vary different wild breeding pairs known adopt similarly aged trials suggested adaption reduce predation male colour indicative differences example red males obtained single site found aggressive yellow males obtained site addition species demonstrated engage cooperative territorial defence multiple males defend single territory taxonomy originally described subsequently number junior synonyms var var brought use synonyms use identification species common trade names species rainbow derived erroneous genus revised genus erected designated type species etymology species follows latin pelvic belly greek fish perch latin pretty beautiful popular selective breeding form species developed trade unlike normal trait inherited trait dominant like animals red yellow retained patches dorsal caudal fin reports forms red yellow produce wild coloured offspring divided completely forms forms retained parents
Pelvicachromis pulcher