Paretroplus nourissati, the lamena, is a species of cichlid from the vicinity of the confluence of the Amboaboa and Mangarahara Rivers near Mandritsara in northern Madagascar.[1] This relatively elongate Paretroplus reaches about 16cm (06inches) in length, and is closely related to P. lamenabe and P.tsimoly.[1] P. nourissati is threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.
Like other members of the lamena group, it is a rheophile (although less so than Oxylapia polli), and typically found in river sections that are shallow, clear and fast-flowing.[1] P. gymnopreopercularis is found in the same region, but it appears to be restricted to deeper pools in the river.[1] A member of another cichlid genus, Ptychochromis insolitus, is also restricted to the region.[2]
The specific name honours the cichlid aquarist Jean Claude Nourissat (1942-2003).[3]