Home · Cichlidae · Mrac jewel cichlid
Mrac jewel cichlid (Chromidotilapia mrac) — Cichlidae

Mrac jewel cichlid

Chromidotilapia mrac
Family: Cichlidae

The Mrac jewel cichlid (Chromidotilapia mrac) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Gabon

Want the complete picture on the Mrac jewel cichlid?

Get the app

Description

The Mrac jewel cichlid is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from shaded forest streams and rivers of Gabon in West-Central Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate body with glossy tints and fine spots; dominant individuals colour up more brightly in the breeding season. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it searches among roots and leaf litter for small invertebrates, insect larvae and plant matter. It is a mouthbrooder in which the parents protect the brood in the mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mrac jewel cichlid?

The Mrac jewel cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Mrac jewel cichlid live?

The Mrac jewel cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Gabon

How big does the Mrac jewel cichlid get?

The Mrac jewel cichlid grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Mrac jewel cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Mrac jewel cichlid is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Mrac jewel cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mrac jewel cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Mrac jewel cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Chromidotilapia mrac
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Gabon sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chromidotilapia

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Mrac jewel cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mrac jewel cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Mrac jewel cichlid? Get the app