Descripción original como Metriaclima pyrsonotos:
ZooBank:114B119A-7BB8-4A04-BF6C-54E53EDDC3AA.
- Stauffer, Jay Richard Jr. & N.J. Bowers, K.A. Kellogg, K.R. McKaye. 1997. "A revision of the blue-black Pseudotropheus zebra (Teleostei: Cichlidae) complex from Lake Malawi, Africa, with a description of a new genus and ten new species". The Proceedings of the Academy Natural Sciences Philadelphia. 148:189-230 (crc00049)
Sinónimos (1):
- Metriaclima sandaracinos Stauffer, Bowers, Kellogg & McKaye, 1997, con localidad tipo en Mpanda Iisland (Nkudzi Bay), Lake Malawi, Africa, 1-3 m. Certificador: Konings, 2007
- Metriaclima thapsinogen Stauffer, Bowers, Kellogg & McKaye, 1997, con localidad tipo en Eccles Reef, Lake Malawi, Malawi, Africa. Certificador: Konings, 2007
Conservación: Metriaclima pyrsonotos es evaluada por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza en la lista roja de especies amenazadas como (VU) Vulnerable (2006). It is a common species in its native range, but its range is restricted to three isolated areas with only a very few individuals present at Kanchedza Island. This narrow distribution led to its assessment of Vulnerable, but since the species is not targeted by local fishermen (too small and difficult to catch between the rocks), I would suggest that the species should be classified as Least Concern.