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Cunnington's featherfin (Cunningtonia longiventralis) — Cichlidae

Cunnington's featherfin

Cunningtonia longiventralis
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cunnington's featherfin (Cunningtonia longiventralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Cunnington's featherfin is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a slender, silvery body; males have elongated, feather-like pelvic fins. It is gregarious and lives in groups drifting in the water column above rocky slopes. As a plankton picker it picks drifting zooplankton from open water. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth for protection. The species is popular in the aquarium. Owing to its modest size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunnington's featherfin?

The Cunnington's featherfin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cunnington's featherfin live?

The Cunnington's featherfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cunnington's featherfin get?

The Cunnington's featherfin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Cunnington's featherfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Cunnington's featherfin is harmless to humans.

Is the Cunnington's featherfin edible?

The Cunnington's featherfin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cunningtons veerstaartcichlide sourced
English name
Cunnington's featherfin sourced
Scientific name
Cunningtonia longiventralis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cichlidae

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