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Pale labidochromis (Labidochromis pallidus) — Cichlidae

Pale labidochromis

Labidochromis pallidus
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pale labidochromis (Labidochromis pallidus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The pale labidochromis is a small mbuna cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, pale-blue to pale body. It lives in the rocky shore zone and picks small invertebrates from the algal growth (aufwuchs) on rocks with its pointed mouth. Like other mbuna it is a mouthbrooder that protects the eggs and young in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pale labidochromis?

The Pale labidochromis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Picks invertebrates from the biofilm on rocks; mouthbrooder

Where does the Pale labidochromis live?

The Pale labidochromis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Malawi

How big does the Pale labidochromis get?

The Pale labidochromis grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Pale labidochromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale labidochromis 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.

Is the Pale labidochromis edible?

The Pale labidochromis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pale labidochromis (Labidochromis pallidus) — Cichlidae — 2
Francisco Santini (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pale labidochromis verified
Scientific name
Labidochromis pallidus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Malawi verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from aufwuchs inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Rock-dwelling mbuna cichlid; mouthbrooder. sourced
Special features
Picks invertebrates from the biofilm on rocks; mouthbrooder 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
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 Labidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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