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Plecodus straeleni
Species of fish From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Plecodus straeleni is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. This species can reach a total length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in).[2]
Like all species of Plecodus, this fish is a scale-eater.[2][3] Unlike other members of its genus, it has a distinctive striped pattern and closely resembles the harmless Neolamprologus sexfasciatus. It uses this aggressive mimicry to be able to approach unsuspecting fish and rapidly take a mouthful of scales.[4] It also resembles the larger Cyphotilapia and has been recorded swimming among their schools, but this may be protective rather than aggressive mimicry.[4] Although it may attack the species it mimics, most victims are other species[4] and under some circumstances it will feed on fish eggs.[5]
The specific name honours the Belgian paleontologist and carcinologist Victor van Straelen (1889-1964) who was Director of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.[6]
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