Orthochromis polyacanthus (Boulenger 1899)

Description: frontal profile steep, with a small interruption at about height of eye; upper parts of head slightly rounded; lower jaw somewhat shorter than upper jaw; caudal fin slightly rounded to subtruncate (Ref. 52307) Cheek squamation variable, a scaleless area anteroventrally; chest squamation, minute and deeply embedded scales, sometimes with bilaterally scaleless area; nape-nuchal scales visible, larger than those found on the ventral surface of the belly (Ref. 26626).Coloration: Living coloration unknown (Ref. 52307). Preserved specimens: brownish to olive; pale dots in dorsal and anal fins; caudal fin withdark upper and lower edges and several thin, darkvertical bars (Ref. 52307).

Mouthbrooding by females.

Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7; Vertebrae: 31 - 32

Rheophilic (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

Orthochromis polyacanthus is a species of cichlid native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, where it is known from the lower Congo River rapids near Pool Malebo (Stanley Pool) and the upper Congo River basin from the Kisangani area to the Lake Mweru basin. This species can reach a length of 11.8 centimetres (4.6 in) SL.