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Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) — Cichlidae

Dolphin cichlid

Krobia itanyi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coastal rivers of the Guianas in South America.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Krobia itanyi is a small cichlid from coastal rivers of the Guianas in South America. The species is abundant in small, slow-flowing, shallow creeks with a rocky-silty bottom and reaches about 12 cm. It feeds on small crustaceans and insect larvae. Males are slightly larger and more colourful than females and have elongated dorsal, anal and ventral fins. It is a substrate spawner: the parents clean a flat stone on which about 500 eggs are laid, and then show marked territorial and parental behaviour in guarding the eggs and young.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dolphin cichlid?

The Dolphin cichlid has a flattened, disc-shaped body. Substrate brooder that guards the eggs on a cleaned flat stone; males more colourful.

Where does the Dolphin cichlid live?

The Dolphin cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Coastal rivers of the Guianas in South America.

How big does the Dolphin cichlid get?

The Dolphin cichlid grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Dolphin cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Dolphin cichlid 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.

Is the Dolphin cichlid edible?

The Dolphin cichlid is not usually eaten.

More photos

Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) — Cichlidae — 2
Lilian L (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) fins_and_fur, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Piolain, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dolphin cichlid verified
Scientific name
Krobia itanyi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Coastal rivers of the Guianas in South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and insect larvae 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
Substrate brooder that guards the eggs on a cleaned flat stone; males more colourful. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Krobia

More from the family Cichlidae

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