white-spotted cichlid
white-spotted cichlid Lexical Profile
• noun
A species of freshwater cichlid fish (Tropheus duboisi) endemic to Northern Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, noted for the distinctive dark bodies covered in bright white or bluish spots exhibited by juveniles.
"The aquarium hobbyist carefully monitored the water parameters in the tank housing the juvenile White-spotted cichlid."
Word Nuance & Usage
Aquarists often refer to this species by its scientific name, 'Tropheus duboisi', as the iconic white spots are only present during its juvenile stage; mature adults completely lose these spots and develop a solid blue head and a distinctive vertical yellow or white band.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive common name referring to the speckled pattern of the juvenile fish. The word 'cichlid' derives from the Ancient Greek 'kikhlē', a name originally used for a type of wrasse or thrush, which was later adapted to classify this vast family of freshwater fishes.