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Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore (Mylochromis sphaerodon) — Cichlidae

Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore

Mylochromis sphaerodon
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore (Mylochromis sphaerodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Mylochromis cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate body with a pointed snout; courting males colour up. It usually occurs in shallow inshore waters. As a bottom predator it searches the bottom for small invertebrates, snails and insect larvae. It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore?

The Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Bottom-foraging Malawi cichlid of shallow coastal waters; maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore live?

The Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; shallow coastal waters.

How big does the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore get?

The Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore edible?

The Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Haplochromis trianodon sandy shore verified
Scientific name
Mylochromis sphaerodon
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Happy; Roundtooth hap verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; shallow coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, snails and insect larvae 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
Bottom-foraging Malawi cichlid of shallow coastal waters; maternal mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Mylochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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