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Wonder flag cichlid (Mesonauta mirificus) — Cichlidae

Wonder flag cichlid

Mesonauta mirificus
Family: Cichlidae

The Wonder flag cichlid (Mesonauta mirificus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The wonder flag cichlid is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from slow-flowing rivers and flooded forest of the upper Amazon basin in Peru in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, yellow-brown body with a conspicuous oblique dark band. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it shelters among roots, plants and leaf litter and snaps at small invertebrates, insect larvae and plant matter. It is a caring parental brooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wonder flag cichlid?

The Wonder flag cichlid has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Wonder flag cichlid live?

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

How big does the Wonder flag cichlid get?

The Wonder flag cichlid grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Wonder flag cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Wonder flag cichlid is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wonder-vlagcichlide sourced
English name
Wonder flag cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Mesonauta mirificus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mesonauta

More from the family Cichlidae

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