Kotsovato

"Kotsovato" means "stone-colored" in Malagasy and refers to the coloration of this cichlid species. The Kotsovato cichlid has a grey to olive-green base coloration, which is often interspersed with irregularly spotted markings and can sometimes even take on orange tones. The species reaches a body length of around 13 to 16 cm.
In terms of reproductive biology, the species is a substrate spawner: the female lays her unfertilized eggs on solid ground, where they are then fertilized by the male. They remain there until the young hatch.
Like all twelve species of the genus Paretroplus, the Kotsovato cichlid is exclusively native to Madagascar. Its distribution area is in the north of the island and includes various lakes and river systems. Due to habitat destruction, overfishing and competition from introduced species, the species is considered endangered according to the IUCN.

Distribution