Fin's Fish Guide
The Happy (Mchenga flavimanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.
Description
The cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is slender; males are more handsomely coloured in the spawning season with yellowish fins. It is found mainly on sandy beaches, where it hovers in schools above the bottom. It feeds on drifting zooplankton it plucks from the water column. As a haplochromine cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Happy?
The Happy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Plankton-eating sandy-beach cichlid with yellowish fins; maternal mouthbrooder.
Where does the Happy live?
The Happy lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; sandy beaches.
How big does the Happy get?
The Happy grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.
Is the Happy dangerous to humans?
No, the Happy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Happy edible?
The Happy is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Mchenga
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Happy?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Happy is one of 12,519 species in the app.