Melanochromis kaskazini Konings-Dudin, Konings & Stauffer 2009

Melanochromis kaskazini is distinguished from all congeners except M. lepidiadaptes by its territorial male coloration, because it exhibits incomplete reverse male-female stripe coloration. Males are cobalt blue and lack any light colored mid-lateral or dorso-lateral stripe. Females are distinguished from otherMelanochromis, except M. parallelus, M. heterochromis, M. lepidiadaptes, M. melanopterus, and M. simulans, by a white body color, and differ from these five species by a yellow/orange anal fin, which is white with a black submarginal band in the others. Male M. kaskazini with breeding coloration are distinguished from those of M. lepidiadaptes by a shallower preorbital (21.9 % vs. 31.8 % HL; ranges: 19.3–26.9 vs. 26.9–35.6), a longer head (34.9 % vs. 31.9 % SL; ranges: 33.6–37.8 vs. 28.4–36.4), a shorter post-orbital head length (42.4 % vs. 47.8 % HL; ranges: 38.4–44.6 vs. 41.8–52.1), and a longer lower jaw (40.3 % vs. 36.8 % HL; ranges: (36.4–44.6 vs. 32.2–40.1).

Melanochromis kaskazini wanders through the intermediate habitat hunting larger invertebrates and small fishes. At most localities, generally solitary individuals are encountered, but at Makonde and Manda small foraging groups are frequently seen, in particular when SCUBA divers stir debris to which the predators are attracted. Most foraging groups consist of several males in varying degree of sexual maturity with usually a single large male in full blue color. Territorial or courting males have not beenobserved. Melanochromis kaskazini is most often seen at depths varying between 5–40 m.

Inhabits the intermediate habitat; not territorial; hunts larger invertebrates and small fishes; small foraging groups frequently seen (Ref. 80784).

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