The orange chromide ( Pseudetroplus maculatus) is a species of cichlid Endemism to freshwater and brackish water streams, and estuary of southern India and Sri Lanka.[Pethiyagoda, R., Maduwage, K. & Manamendra-Arachchi, K. (2014): Validation of the South Asian cichlid genus Pseudetroplus Bleeker (Pisces: Cichlidae). Zootaxa, 3838 (5): 595–600.][
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Names
The specific epithet of this species, maculatus, is Latin for "spotted", and is a reference to the large black spot on the upper flanks. In Malayalam, it is known as pallathi (പള്ളത്തി).
Diet
This species co-occurs throughout its range with the green chromide ( Etroplus suratensis) and prey on the eggs and larvae of the latter. Additionally, it removes from the larger green chromide; this is an example of cleaning symbiosis.[
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Parental care
Young orange chromides feed on the mucous coating of their parents; this is essential for their survival. During the feeding period, the parent fishes' mucous gland secretions increase by 34%.
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