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Deep water hap (Placidochromis electra) — Cichlidae

Deep water hap

Placidochromis electra
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deep water hap (Placidochromis electra) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The deep water hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm; adult males are handsomely silver-blue with a dark head and gill band. It stays over sandy bottoms near rocks and follows larger, digging fish to snap up disturbed invertebrates from the sand. Like other Malawi cichlids it is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans, popular in the aquarium trade and assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deep water hap?

The Deep water hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Deep water hap live?

The Deep water hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Deep water hap get?

The Deep water hap grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Deep water hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Deep water hap is harmless to humans.

Is the Deep water hap edible?

The Deep water hap is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Deepwater-hap verified
English name
Deep water hap verified
Scientific name
Placidochromis electra
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Deepwater hap; Deep-water hap; Electra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Placidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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