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Malawi cichlid (Lethrinops microdon) — Cichlidae

Malawi cichlid

Lethrinops microdon
Family: Cichlidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Malawi cichlid (Lethrinops microdon) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
35.0–100.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Malawi cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate body and small teeth. It lives over soft bottoms covered with a thick layer of settled diatoms, on which it feeds mainly, supplemented with small invertebrates. As a haplochromine cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. Owing to limited data its status is uncertain. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malawi cichlid?

The Malawi cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Malawi cichlid live?

The Malawi cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Malawi cichlid get?

The Malawi cichlid grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Malawi cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Malawi cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Malawi cichlid edible?

The Malawi cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kiezelwier-zandcichlide sourced
English name
Malawi cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Lethrinops microdon
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Min depth (m)
35.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Lethrinops

More from the family Cichlidae

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