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Demasoni mbuna (Pseudotropheus demasoni) — Cichlidae

Demasoni mbuna

Pseudotropheus demasoni
Family: Cichlidae

The Demasoni mbuna (Pseudotropheus demasoni) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Depth
2–15 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The demasoni mbuna is a small rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) from Lake Malawi in East Africa, recently also placed in the genus Chindongo. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a vivid cobalt-blue body with alternating dark-blue and light-blue vertical bars. As a rock-dweller it lives in the shallow, rocky shore zone and grazes aufwuchs, the algal film on the stones, with fine teeth. It is a mouthbrooder and strongly territorial. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Demasoni mbuna?

The Demasoni mbuna is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Demasoni mbuna live?

The Demasoni mbuna is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Demasoni mbuna get?

The Demasoni mbuna grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Demasoni mbuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Demasoni mbuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Demasoni mbuna edible?

The Demasoni mbuna is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Demasoni-mbuna sourced
English name
Demasoni mbuna sourced
Scientific name
Pseudotropheus demasoni
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Dwarf mbuna sourced

Appearance

Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Average length (cm)
3.8 sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 sourced
Max depth (m)
15 sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes 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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudotropheus

More from the family Cichlidae

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