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Elongate mbuna (Pseudotropheus elongatus) — Cichlidae

Elongate mbuna

Pseudotropheus elongatus
Family: Cichlidae

The Elongate mbuna (Pseudotropheus elongatus) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The elongate mbuna is a rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm and has, as the name indicates, a conspicuously elongate body; courting males often turn bluish with dark crossbars. It lives territorially in the rocky zone along the shore, where with its mouth it scrapes the growth layer of algae and small invertebrates from the stones. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is popular with aquarists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate mbuna?

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

Where does the Elongate mbuna live?

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

How big does the Elongate mbuna get?

The Elongate mbuna grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Elongate mbuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate mbuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Elongate mbuna edible?

The Elongate mbuna is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke mbuna sourced
English name
Elongate mbuna sourced
Scientific name
Pseudotropheus elongatus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

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 Pseudotropheus

More from the family Cichlidae

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