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Christy's cichlid (Greenwoodochromis christyi) — Cichlidae

Christy's cichlid

Greenwoodochromis christyi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Christy's cichlid (Greenwoodochromis christyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; fairly deep open water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Christy's cichlid is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from rivers, streams and lakes of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an elongate body; dominant individuals colour up more brightly in the breeding season. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it searches among stones, sand and plants for small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and plant matter. It cares for the brood and defends the young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Christy's cichlid?

The Christy's cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Mouthbrooding deep-water cichlid, endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

Where does the Christy's cichlid live?

The Christy's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; fairly deep open water.

How big does the Christy's cichlid get?

The Christy's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Christy's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Christy's cichlid is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Christy's cichlid edible?

The Christy's cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Christy's cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Greenwoodochromis christyi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; fairly deep open water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Mouthbrooding deep-water cichlid, endemic to Lake Tanganyika. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Greenwoodochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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