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Lemaire's lamprologus (Lamprologus lemairii) — Cichlidae

Lemaire's lamprologus

Lamprologus lemairii
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lemaire's lamprologus (Lamprologus lemairii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 25 cm.

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

Description

Lamprologus lemairii is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has an elongate, brownish mottled body with a large mouth and reaches about 25 cm. It is regarded as one of the most voracious and predatory species of the genus and is therefore unsuited to the community aquarium. It stays in a fixed spot, often near rocks on sandy bottoms, where it lies half-buried in wait and lunges suddenly at passing fishes. It is a substrate spawner that lays and guards its eggs in a cavity or crevice. The species is of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lemaire's lamprologus?

The Lemaire's lamprologus has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Lemaire's lamprologus live?

The Lemaire's lamprologus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Lemaire's lamprologus get?

The Lemaire's lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Lemaire's lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Lemaire's lamprologus is harmless to humans.

Is the Lemaire's lamprologus edible?

The Lemaire's lamprologus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lemaires roofcichlide sourced
English name
Lemaire's lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Lamprologus lemairii
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Lamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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