Fin's Fish Guide
The Rainbow dream (Sargochromis carlottae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 35 cm.
Southern Africa; Okavango and Zambezi systems, deep flood channels and lagoons.
Description
The rainbow happy is a cichlid from southern Africa, occurring in the Okavango and Zambezi systems. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky, silvery body. It favours deep, permanent channels and lagoons of floodplains, with a sandy bottom and vegetation. As a bottom feeder it eats aquatic insects, crustaceans and especially snails, which it crushes with powerful pharyngeal teeth. The species is an open-substrate spawner. It is a valued food and angling fish in the region. The rainbow happy is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Rainbow dream?
The Rainbow dream has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Powerful pharyngeal teeth for crushing snails; open-substrate spawner of floodplain channels.
Where does the Rainbow dream live?
The Rainbow dream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern Africa; Okavango and Zambezi systems, deep flood channels and lagoons.
How big does the Rainbow dream get?
The Rainbow dream grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.
Is the Rainbow dream dangerous to humans?
No, the Rainbow dream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Rainbow dream edible?
Yes, the Rainbow dream is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sargochromis
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Rainbow dream?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Rainbow dream is one of 12,519 species in the app.