Maylandia elegans (Trewavas 1935)

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from all other members in Pseudotropheus, except P. williamsi, by a pale yellow to hyaline dorsal fin and by the absence of distinct vertical bars below the dorsal fin; most species of Pseudotropheus either have distinct bars below the dorsal fin or a dorsal fin with black pigment (Ref. 119458). It is distinguished from P. williamsi by the absence of two horizontal lines of black dots on the flank (Ref. 119458).Description: Medium-sized mbuna, ovoid body with greatest depth at about 6-7th dorsal spine (Ref. 119458). Dorsal body profile with gradual curve downward, more acute towards caudal peduncle; ventral body profile slightly convex between pelvic fins and base of rays of anal fin with upward taper to caudal peduncle; dorsal head profile round, with continuous curve between interorbital and dorsal-fin origin; horizontal eye diameter greater than preorbital depth; eye, along horizontal axis, in anterior half of head; snout straight; jaws isognathous; tooth bands with 4 rows in upper jaw and 3-4 rows in lower; teeth in anterior outer row bicuspid with posterior lateral teeth primarily unicuspid, and teeth in inner rows tricuspid (Ref. 119458). Dorsal fin with XVII-XIX spines and 8-9 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 8-9 soft rays; first 4-5 dorsal-fin spines gradually longer posteriorly with fourth spine about 1.5 times length of first; last 13 dorsal-fin spines increasingly longer posteriorly with last spine longest, about 2 times length of first; soft dorsal fin with subacuminate tip, third or fourth ray longest, to approximately 1/4 length of caudal fin; anal-fin spines progressively longer posteriorly; 3rd or 4th ray longest, to base of caudal fin in both sexes; 1-3 small yellow spots on posterior part of anal fin; caudal fin subtruncate to slightly emarginate; length of pelvic fin to first spine of anal fin; pectoral fin short and paddle-shaped, length to vertical line through base of 10-11th dorsal-fin spine (Ref. 119458). Flank scales ctenoid with abrupt transition to small scales on breast; 32-33 lateral-line scales; cheek with 3 rows of small scales; caudal fin with tiny scales to 1/4 length; no scales on other fins (Ref. 119458). Gill rakers on first ceratobranchial 10-12 (Ref. 119458).Colouration: Recently captured fish with gray head, white gular region, and black opercular spot; laterally gray ground colouration; scales with green outline; breast and belly gray; dorsal fin pale yellow to hyaline; caudal fin with two ventral rays and membranes black; remainder clear with faint white spots; anal fin black with white marginal band; 1-3 yellow ocelli in rayed portion; pectoral-fin rays clear; pelvic-fin rays black anteriorly, remainder clear (Ref. 119458). Colouration of female similar to male (Ref. 119458).

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

In some places, this species commonly inhabits open sandy areas which are usually below 10 m (Ref. 6256 mentions samples caught in trawls from 6-76 meters). It feeds by picking invertebrates from the silty layer that covers the sand in many places (Ref. 5595).

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial

Pseudotropheus elegans is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. This species can reach a length of 13.2 centimetres (5.2 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.