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Damba (Paretroplus damii) — Cichlidae

Damba

Paretroplus damii
Family: Cichlidae
EN · Endangered

The Damba (Paretroplus damii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Madagascar

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Description

The Damba is a cichlid endemic to fresh water of Madagascar. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body. Adults may bear dark crossbands or a reddish tinge. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in lowland rivers and lakes of northwestern Madagascar and eats molluscs, small invertebrates, algae and detritus. It is an attentive parental brooder. Through habitat loss and introduced species it is endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damba?

The Damba has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Damba live?

The Damba lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Madagascar

How big does the Damba get?

The Damba grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Damba dangerous to humans?

No, the Damba is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Damba (Paretroplus damii) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) saraalien1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damba (Paretroplus damii) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) saraalien1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damba (Paretroplus damii) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) eichhoernchen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damba (Paretroplus damii) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Damba sourced
Scientific name
Paretroplus damii
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Yellow-wedged Madagascar cichlid sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Madagascar sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Paretroplus

More from the family Cichlidae

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