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Golden mola hap (Mylochromis incola) — Cichlidae

Golden mola hap

Mylochromis incola
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Golden mola hap (Mylochromis incola) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The golden mola Mylochromis is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate body; males colour up golden-yellow with blue accents in breeding dress. As a dweller of the sandy transition zone it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden mola hap?

The Golden mola hap has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Sifts sand for invertebrates; mouthbrooding sand-zone cichlid

Where does the Golden mola hap live?

The Golden mola hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Lake Malawi (endemic)

How big does the Golden mola hap get?

The Golden mola hap grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Golden mola hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden mola hap 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 Golden mola hap edible?

The Golden mola hap is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden mola hap verified
Scientific name
Mylochromis incola
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Haplochromis golden mola; Happy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Malawi (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sand inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Sand-sifting cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Sifts sand for invertebrates; mouthbrooding sand-zone cichlid sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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

Same genus Mylochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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