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Malawi cichlid (Gephyrochromis lawsi) — Cichlidae

Malawi cichlid

Gephyrochromis lawsi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Malawi cichlid (Gephyrochromis lawsi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Laws's Malawi cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is slender; males are more handsomely coloured in the spawning season. It usually keeps at greater depth, where the steep rocky coast gives way to sand, and forages over sandy patches. With fine teeth it sifts small bottom life and growth from the sand. As a cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malawi cichlid?

The Malawi cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Malawi cichlid live?

The Malawi cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Malawi cichlid get?

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

Is the Malawi cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Malawi cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Malawi cichlid edible?

The Malawi cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Laws' Malawicichlide sourced
English name
Malawi cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Gephyrochromis lawsi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gephyrochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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