Nanochromis parilus Roberts & Stewart 1976

Diagnosis: upper half of caudal fin always with alternating pattern of black and white to yellow stripes; lower half of caudal fin variable in males: uniformly violet (pale and sometimes almost transparent) across entire fin, or with many rows of red spots, or any combination of both; females always with an unmarked, clear to pale violet lower half of the caudal fin (Ref. 52307).Description: males with elongated rays in dorsal, anal and pelvic fins, more so than females, and rays of upper portion of caudal fin may extend slightly, forming a small lappet; old males sometimes develop a small hump on their head (Ref. 52307).Coloration: body grayish-brown in upper half and more turquoise in lower half of both sexes; dorsal fin with black margin followed by a white submargin that is always broader in females than in males; ripe females with an often extremely swollen, violet belly (Ref. 52307).

Found in large numbers in areas with slowly-flowing waters along the banks of the Congo River near Brazzaville and Kinshasa; does not seem to prefer the more rapidly-flowing parts of the river, even though Roberts & Stewart (1976) viewed it as a moderately rheophilic species (Ref. 52307). Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Cave-spawner (Ref. 52307).

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial