Home · Cichlidae · Dupont's cichlid
Dupont's cichlid (Chilochromis duponti) — Cichlidae

Dupont's cichlid

Chilochromis duponti
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dupont's cichlid (Chilochromis duponti) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Vegetated rivers and creeks of the Congo basin in Central Africa.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Dupont's cichlid?

Get the app

Description

Chilochromis duponti is a cichlid from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species has a streamlined, brownish body and reaches about 22 cm. It feeds mainly on aquatic vegetation, especially algae, supplemented with small quantities of insects. It is a substrate spawner that lays and guards its eggs on a surface, and is known to be aggressive in captivity. It inhabits slow-flowing, vegetated rivers and creeks. Through its feeding as an algae-eater the species plays a role in grazing aufwuchs on stones and wood. It is of limited local importance and is sometimes found in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dupont's cichlid?

The Dupont's cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Algae eater and substrate brooder; aggressive in captivity.

Where does the Dupont's cichlid live?

The Dupont's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Vegetated rivers and creeks of the Congo basin in Central Africa.

How big does the Dupont's cichlid get?

The Dupont's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Dupont's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Dupont's 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 Dupont's cichlid edible?

The Dupont's cichlid is rarely eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dupont's cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dupont's cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Dupont's cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Chilochromis duponti
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Natural range
Vegetated rivers and creeks of the Congo basin in Central Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and aquatic vegetation (also some insects) sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Algae eater and substrate brooder; aggressive in captivity. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dupont's cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dupont's cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Dupont's cichlid? Get the app