Home · Cichlidae · Horei cichlid
Horei cichlid (Ctenochromis horei) — Cichlidae

Horei cichlid

Ctenochromis horei
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Horei cichlid (Ctenochromis horei) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The horei cichlid is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae occurring in and around Lake Tanganyika in East Africa and reaching about 16 cm. The laterally compressed body is golden-yellow with a bluish sheen and faint crossbars; males are more vividly coloured and bear egg-spots on the anal fin. The species lives in shallow, vegetated and sandy shore zones of the lake and its surrounding rivers. As a hunter it eats small crustaceans, insect larvae, small fish and fish eggs. Like many cichlids of the lake it is a mouthbrooder: the female broods the eggs and young in her mouth. The species has been much studied for its place in the evolution of the Tanganyika cichlids.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horei cichlid?

The Horei cichlid is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Horei cichlid live?

The Horei cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Horei cichlid get?

The Horei cichlid grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Horei cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Horei cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Horei cichlid edible?

The Horei cichlid is rarely 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
Tanganyika-kamcichlide inferred
English name
Horei cichlid verified
Scientific name
Ctenochromis horei
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
16 verified
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
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 Ctenochromis

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 →