Fin's Fish Guide
The Onespot trematocara (Trematocara unimaculatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; deep zones, shallower at night.
Description
The onespot trematocara is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark blotch on the flank, to which the name refers. The genus Trematocara is remarkable for being among the world's deepest cichlid catches and for having greatly enlarged, pore-studded sensory canals on the head to detect prey in the dark. At night it moves up to shallower water to forage on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female protects the young. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Onespot trematocara?
The Onespot trematocara has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Dark flank blotch and strongly enlarged sensory canals on the head; nocturnal vertical migration.
Where does the Onespot trematocara live?
The Onespot trematocara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; deep zones, shallower at night.
How big does the Onespot trematocara get?
The Onespot trematocara grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Onespot trematocara dangerous to humans?
No, the Onespot trematocara is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Onespot trematocara edible?
The Onespot trematocara is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
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Status & sources
Same genus Trematocara
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Onespot trematocara?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Onespot trematocara is one of 12,519 species in the app.