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Haplochromis lepturus green (Buccochromis lepturus) — Cichlidae

Haplochromis lepturus green

Buccochromis lepturus
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Haplochromis lepturus green (Buccochromis lepturus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
41.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; sandy bottoms from shallow to deep water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The slender hap is a large cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate, streamlined body; courting males colour up handsomely. It hunts juvenile cichlids over sandy bottoms; juveniles are common in shallow inshore water, while adults live in deeper water. As a fast predator it takes mainly other fishes. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis lepturus green?

The Haplochromis lepturus green has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, fast predatory cichlid that hunts juvenile cichlids above sand; maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Haplochromis lepturus green live?

The Haplochromis lepturus green lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; sandy bottoms from shallow to deep water.

How big does the Haplochromis lepturus green get?

The Haplochromis lepturus green grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Haplochromis lepturus green dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis lepturus green is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Haplochromis lepturus green edible?

The Haplochromis lepturus green is rarely eaten.

More photos

Haplochromis lepturus green (Buccochromis lepturus) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Haplochromis lepturus green (Buccochromis lepturus) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Charles Tate Regan (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Haplochromis lepturus green verified
Scientific name
Buccochromis lepturus
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Slender tail hap verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; sandy bottoms from shallow to deep water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly other fishes, including young cichlids 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
Slender, fast predatory cichlid that hunts juvenile cichlids above sand; maternal mouthbrooder. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Buccochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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