Fin's Fish Guide
The Christy's lethrinops (Lethrinops christyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 18 cm.
Description
Christy's lethrinops is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate body and a protrusible mouth with which it digs into soft bottom. It lives over sandy bottoms, where it takes mouthfuls of sediment and sifts small invertebrates, insect larvae and worms from it. As a haplochromine cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female broods the eggs and young in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Christy's lethrinops?
The Christy's lethrinops has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Protrusible mouth for sifting sediment; maternal mouthbrooder on sandy bottoms of Lake Malawi.
Where does the Christy's lethrinops live?
The Christy's lethrinops lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; sandy bottoms.
How big does the Christy's lethrinops get?
The Christy's lethrinops grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.
Is the Christy's lethrinops dangerous to humans?
No, the Christy's lethrinops is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Christy's lethrinops edible?
The Christy's lethrinops is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lethrinops
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Christy's lethrinops?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Christy's lethrinops is one of 12,519 species in the app.