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Peter Davies' cichlid (Alticorpus peterdaviesi) — Cichlidae

Peter Davies' cichlid

Alticorpus peterdaviesi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Peter Davies' cichlid (Alticorpus peterdaviesi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
50.0–125.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Peter Davies' cichlid is a deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, mainly in the southern part of the lake. It grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate body with a notably high number of long gill rakers. It lives at considerable depth, usually between 70 and 90 metres, over bottoms covered with diatom ooze, on which it feeds by taking diatoms. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder. Because of its wide range the IUCN assesses it as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peter Davies' cichlid?

The Peter Davies' cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep-water cichlid; many long gill rakers; feeds on diatoms

Where does the Peter Davies' cichlid live?

The Peter Davies' cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Malawi

How big does the Peter Davies' cichlid get?

The Peter Davies' cichlid grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Peter Davies' cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Peter Davies' cichlid 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 Peter Davies' cichlid edible?

The Peter Davies' cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Peter Davies' cichlid verified
Scientific name
Alticorpus peterdaviesi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
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
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
125.0 verified
Natural range
Lake Malawi verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Diatoms and small benthic plankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Mouthbrooding deep-water cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Deep-water cichlid; many long gill rakers; feeds on diatoms sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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 Alticorpus

More from the family Cichlidae

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