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Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae

Cunnington's lamprologus

Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni
Family: Cichlidae

The Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni is a slender, predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has an elongate, streamlined, silvery body with fine dark markings and reaches about 20 cm. It lives over sandy bottoms, often near the sand-to-rock transition, where it hunts small fishes as an ambush predator. Like other Lepidiolamprologus species it is a substrate spawner that lays and guards its eggs on a surface. Owing to its elegant, streamlined shape and hunting behaviour the species is prized by advanced cichlid keepers and of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunnington's lamprologus?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Cunnington's lamprologus live?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cunnington's lamprologus get?

The Cunnington's lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Cunnington's lamprologus dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Cunnington's lamprologus edible?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cunningtons roofcichlide sourced
English name
Cunnington's lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
20.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud 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
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 Lepidiolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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