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Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) — Cichlidae

Orange chromide

Etroplus maculatus
Family: Cichlidae

The Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South Asia; fresh and brackish lagoons, estuaries and rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The orange chromide is a small cichlid (Cichlidae) from South Asia. The species has a deep, yellow-orange body with rows of small red or orange spots and often a dark blotch on the flank. It inhabits fresh and brackish waters, such as lagoons, estuaries and slow-flowing rivers, and tolerates varying salinity. As an omnivore it feeds on algae, plant matter, small invertebrates and detritus. It forms pairs and tends the brood with both parents. It is a popular aquarium fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange chromide?

The Orange chromide is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Yellow-orange with red spots; brackish-water tolerant, pair-forming with biparental parental care.

Where does the Orange chromide live?

The Orange chromide is mostly found around mixed bottom. South Asia; fresh and brackish lagoons, estuaries and rivers.

How big does the Orange chromide get?

The Orange chromide grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Orange chromide dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange chromide is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Orange chromide edible?

The Orange chromide is not usually eaten.

More photos

Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) — Cichlidae — 2
Hareesha A S (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Harikrishnan S, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Guérin Nicolas (messages) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Rahul R Nath, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Orange chromide sourced
Scientific name
Etroplus maculatus
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Spotted etroplus; Orange chromid; Pearl-spot; Red chromide

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South Asia; fresh and brackish lagoons, estuaries and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, plant material, small invertebrates and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Yellow-orange with red spots; brackish-water tolerant, pair-forming with biparental parental care. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Etroplus

More from the family Cichlidae

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