Orange chromide

The orange chromide (Pseudetroplus maculatus) is a species of cichlid endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries of southern India and Sri Lanka.^[3][4][5] It is popular with fishkeeping hobbyists,^[4][6] and reaches a length of up to 8 cm (3.1 in).^[5]

Orange chromide
Orange chromide from the Bharathapuzha River, India
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cichliformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Etroplinae
Genus:	Pseudetroplus Bleeker, 1862
Species:	P. maculatus
Binomial name
Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795)
Synonyms[2]
Etroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795) Chaetodon maculatus Bloch, 1795 Etroplus coruchi Cuvier, 1830 Glyphisodon kakaitsel Lacepède, 1802 Glyphisodon koruschi Cuvier, 1830

Names

The specific epithet of this species, maculatus, is Latin for "spotted", and is a reference to the large black spot on the upper flanks. In Malayalam, it is known as pallathi (പള്ളത്തി).

Diet

The selectively bred bright orange-yellow variant often seen in the aquarium trade

This species co-occurs throughout its range with the green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) and preys on the eggs and larvae of the latter. Additionally, it removes parasites from the larger green chromide; this is an example of cleaning symbiosis.^[4] This species also feeds on zooplankton and algae.^[5]

Parental care

Young orange chromides feed on the mucous coating of their parents; this is essential for their survival. During the feeding period, the parent fishes' mucous gland secretions increase by 34%.^[7]