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Myaka (Myaka myaka) — Cichlidae

Myaka

Myaka myaka
Family: Cichlidae

The Myaka (Myaka myaka) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The myaka is a small cichlid found only in the crater lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon, West Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body and is highly specialised: it filters suspended zooplankton from open water with a fine gill-raker apparatus. As a species endemic to a single small lake it is sensitive to habitat disturbance. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Myaka?

The Myaka has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Myaka live?

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

How big does the Myaka get?

The Myaka grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Myaka dangerous to humans?

No, the Myaka is harmless to humans.

Is the Myaka edible?

The Myaka is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Myaka verified
English name
Myaka verified
Scientific name
Myaka myaka
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Myaka; Myaka myaka verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cichlidae

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