Home · Cichlidae · Amazon cichlid
Amazon cichlid (Cichlasoma amazonarum) — Cichlidae

Amazon cichlid

Cichlasoma amazonarum
Family: Cichlidae

The Amazon cichlid (Cichlasoma amazonarum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Amazon cichlid is a cichlid from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown body with a few dark crossbars and a spot on the flank. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in slow-flowing rivers and pools among plants and wood and eats small invertebrates, plant material and detritus. It is an attentive parental brooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amazon cichlid?

The Amazon cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Amazon cichlid live?

The Amazon cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Amazon cichlid get?

The Amazon cichlid grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Amazon cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Amazon cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Amazon cichlid edible?

Yes, the Amazon cichlid is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Amazone-cichlide sourced
English name
Amazon cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Cichlasoma amazonarum
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cichlasoma

More from the family Cichlidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →