Paretroplus gymnopreopercularis

Paretroplus gymnopreopercularis is a species of cichlid from the vicinity of the confluence of the Amboaboa and Mangarahara Rivers near Mandritsara in northern Madagascar.[2] Until its official scientific description in 2008, it was temporarily known as the Paretroplus nov. sp. "sofia". It is endangered because of habitat degradation, overfishing and invasive species.[1] Following the construction of a dam on the Mangarahara River, surveys have failed to relocate P. gymnopreopercularis in this river.[2]

Paretroplus gymnopreopercularis
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cichliformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Genus:	Paretroplus
Species:	P. gymnopreopercularis
Binomial name
Paretroplus gymnopreopercularis Sparks, 2008

This relatively elongate Paretroplus reaches about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length and is closely related to P. kieneri, which it resembles.[2] P. nourissati is found in the same region as P. gymnopreopercularis, but the latter appears to be restricted to deeper pools in the river (the former is from shallow, fast-flowing sections).[2] The member of another cichlid genus, Ptychochromis insolitus, is also restricted to the region.[3]

Its habitat is shallow, clear rivers with a fast current and many areas of small waterfalls and riffles, normally with a rocky river bed, with many boulders, with sandy area mixed in. This species shows a preference for deeper, more isolated pools.[4]