Home · Cichlidae · Deepwater hap
Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) — Cichlidae

Deepwater hap

Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
30.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Deepwater hap?

Get the app

Description

The deepwater hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a streamlined body with large eyes and, characteristic of deepwater cichlids, a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws to detect prey in the dim depths. It is a typical deepwater species with a fairly even distribution below 60 metres. As a bottom searcher it sifts small invertebrates from the sediment. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater hap?

The Deepwater hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep-water species with a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws; maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Deepwater hap live?

The Deepwater hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m.

How big does the Deepwater hap get?

The Deepwater hap grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Deepwater hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater hap is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepwater hap edible?

The Deepwater hap is rarely eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Deepwater hap?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Deepwater hap is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Deepwater hap sourced
Scientific name
Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sediment sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Deep-water species with a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws; maternal mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Alticorpus

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Deepwater hap?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Deepwater hap is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Deepwater hap? Get the app