Home · Cichlidae · Haplochromis one and a half stripe
Haplochromis one and a half stripe (Protomelas insignis) — Cichlidae

Haplochromis one and a half stripe

Protomelas insignis
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Haplochromis one and a half stripe (Protomelas insignis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The one-and-a-half-stripe hap is a cichlid endemic to the southern part of Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a silvery, laterally compressed body with a distinctive stripe pattern from which it takes its name. It lives in rocky zones cleared of sediment and notably feeds mainly on the eggs of other fish. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis one and a half stripe?

The Haplochromis one and a half stripe has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Haplochromis one and a half stripe live?

The Haplochromis one and a half stripe lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Haplochromis one and a half stripe get?

The Haplochromis one and a half stripe grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Haplochromis one and a half stripe dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis one and a half stripe is harmless to humans.

Is the Haplochromis one and a half stripe edible?

The Haplochromis one and a half stripe is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Anderhalfstreep-hap verified
English name
Haplochromis one and a half stripe verified
Scientific name
Protomelas insignis
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
One-and-a-half-stripe hap verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Protomelas

More from the family Cichlidae

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