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Dardenne's cichlid (Limnotilapia dardennii) — Cichlidae

Dardenne's cichlid

Limnotilapia dardennii
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dardenne's cichlid (Limnotilapia dardennii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Dardenne's cichlid is a robust cichlid of the family Cichlidae reaching about 26 cm and endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The yellow-blue body bears faint dark cross-bands and shiny blue spots. The species lives at the transition between rocky and sandy shores and is a maternal mouthbrooder: after mating the female broods the fertilised eggs in her mouth and protects the young there. As an omnivore it eats algae, growth, plant matter and small invertebrates. Like the many other Tanganyika cichlids it is part of a rich, highly specialised species flock and is popular in the aquarium hobby; locally it is also a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dardenne's cichlid?

The Dardenne's cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Dardenne's cichlid live?

The Dardenne's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dardenne's cichlid get?

The Dardenne's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Dardenne's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Dardenne's cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Dardenne's cichlid edible?

Yes, the Dardenne's cichlid is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dardennes Tanganyika-cichlide inferred
English name
Dardenne's cichlid verified
Scientific name
Limnotilapia dardennii
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cichlidae

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