The damba mipentina (Paretroplus maculatus) is a critically endangered species of cichlid fish from turbid, shallow flood-plain lakes in the Betsiboka and Ikopa River basins in northwestern Madagascar.Sparks, J. S. (2008). Phylogeny of the Cichlid Subfamily Etroplinae and Taxonomic Revision of the Malagasy Cichlid Genus Paretroplus (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History Number 314 :1-151 It has declined drastically because of habitat loss, overfishing and invasive species. It is part of a captive breeding program by public institutions like London Zoo and among fishkeeping hobbyists.Guinane, S. (2001). Personal experiences of Paretroplus menarambo & Paretroplus maculatus.
This relatively deep-bodied Paretroplus can easily be distinguished from other members of the genus by the large black spot on the side of the body. It reaches in length.Guinane, S. (2000). The Madagascan Cichlid Genus Paretroplus (Bleeker, 1865). Accessed 15 July 2011
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