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Emperor cichlid

Boulengerochromis microlepis

LC · Least Concern

NativeIntroduced

The Emperor cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length

80 cm

Water

Freshwater

Depth

0–85.0 m

Diet

Carnivore

Behaviour

Small groups

Activity

Diurnal

Body shape

Torpedo-shaped

Substrate

Sand / mud bottom

Danger

Harmless

Range

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, in open water and sandy coastal zones.

Edibility

Highly prized

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Description

The emperor cichlid is the largest cichlid in the world; this streamlined predator of the family Cichlidae reaches about 80 cm or more. The silvery-grey body has a yellow and bluish sheen and is built for hunting other fish in open water. The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa and occurs in open water and sandy shore zones. Unlike the countless mouthbrooding cichlids of the lake it is a substrate brooder: a stable pair guards an enormous clutch on a sandy bottom, and the exhausted parents are thought to die after this single breeding effort. With its size and tasty flesh it is an important commercial fishery species of the lake.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Emperor cichlid?

The Emperor cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. The largest cichlid in the world; a streamlined predator of Lake Tanganyika that breeds in fixed pairs and then dies.

Where does the Emperor cichlid live?

The Emperor cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, in open water and sandy coastal zones.

How big does the Emperor cichlid get?

The Emperor cichlid grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Emperor cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Emperor cichlid is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Emperor cichlid edible?

Yes, the Emperor cichlid is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Emperor cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) — Cichlidae — 2 — SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

Emperor cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) — Cichlidae — 3 — iNaturalist ((c) Leah Ramsay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Emperor cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) — Cichlidae — 4 — Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858–1937 (Public domain)

Emperor cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) — Cichlidae — 5 — iNaturalist ((c) Jesse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name

Emperor cichlid verified

Scientific name

Boulengerochromis microlepis

Family

Cichlidae

Other names

Giant cichlid; Yellowbelly cichlid verified

Appearance

Size class

Large verified

Max length (cm)

80.0 verified

Body shape

Torpedo-shaped sourced

Dominant colour

Silver / grey sourced

Pattern

Spots sourced

Tail shape

Forked inferred

Mouth position

Terminal inferred

Lips

Thick / fleshy inferred

Barbels

No verified

Dorsal fins

One continuous sourced

Dorsal spines

Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type

Freshwater verified

Substrate

Sand / mud bottom verified

Max depth (m)

85.0 verified

Natural range

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, in open water and sandy coastal zones. verified

Origin

Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet

Carnivore verified

Diet (detail)

Mainly fishes, with shrimps and large invertebrates sourced

Social behaviour

Small groups verified

Territorial

Yes verified

Activity

Diurnal inferred

Reproduction

Separate sexes verified

Sexual dimorphism

No verified

Seasonality

Forms permanent pairs that guard a large clutch on a sandy bottom; the parents probably die after a single, exhausting breeding period. sourced

Special features

The largest cichlid in the world; a streamlined predator of Lake Tanganyika that breeds in fixed pairs and then dies. sourced

For anglers

Edibility

Highly prized verified

Fishing method

An important commercial fishery species of the lake; caught with nets and lines sourced

Regulations source

FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans

Harmless verified

First aid

None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources

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

Emperor cichlid

Description

Frequently asked questions

More photos

Want the complete picture on the Emperor cichlid?

All data

Identification

Appearance

Habitat & distribution

Behaviour & biology

For anglers

Safety

Status & sources

More from the family Cichlidae

Want the complete picture on the Emperor cichlid?