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Curve cichlid (Nosferatu labridens) — Cichlidae

Curve cichlid

Nosferatu labridens
Family: Cichlidae

The Curve cichlid (Nosferatu labridens) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The curve cichlid is a Central American cichlid from the Panuco drainages of northeastern Mexico, placed in the genus Nosferatu (formerly Herichthys). The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, grey to yellowish body that changes colour strongly in breeding fish, with a dark flank blotch. As a snail-eating cichlid it lives over rock and gravel bottoms and crushes molluscs with strong throat teeth. It is a substrate brooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curve cichlid?

The Curve cichlid is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Curve cichlid live?

The Curve cichlid is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Curve cichlid get?

The Curve cichlid grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Curve cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Curve cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Curve cichlid edible?

The Curve cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Curva-cichlide sourced
English name
Curve cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Nosferatu labridens
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Yellow labridens sourced

Appearance

Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 Nosferatu

More from the family Cichlidae

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