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Elegant haplo (Haplochromis elegans) — Cichlidae

Elegant haplo

Haplochromis elegans
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Elegant haplo (Haplochromis elegans) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The elegant haplo is a small cichlid from the Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga system in East Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender body; breeding males are handsomely coloured. As a dweller of shallow, plant-rich water it feeds on small invertebrates and insect larvae. Like other haplochromine cichlids it is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant haplo?

The Elegant haplo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Mouthbrooder; breeding-ready males colourful

Where does the Elegant haplo live?

The Elegant haplo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga

How big does the Elegant haplo get?

The Elegant haplo grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Elegant haplo dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant haplo 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 Elegant haplo edible?

The Elegant haplo is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Elegant haplo verified
Scientific name
Haplochromis elegans
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insect larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Mouthbrooding haplochromine cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Mouthbrooder; breeding-ready males 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 Haplochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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