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Red top brevis (Pseudotropheus williamsi) — Cichlidae

Red top brevis

Pseudotropheus williamsi
Family: Cichlidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Red top brevis (Pseudotropheus williamsi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; very shallow rocky biotopes.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Williams' mbuna is an mbuna cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate body; courting males colour up bluish. It inhabits very shallow rocky biotopes, usually at exposed sites and mostly in the upper two metres of water. It grazes mainly aufwuchs (algae and small animals) from the rocks. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. Owing to a limited range the species is considered near threatened. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red top brevis?

The Red top brevis has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Aufwuchs-grazing mbuna of very shallow rocks; sensitive because of its restricted range.

Where does the Red top brevis live?

The Red top brevis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; very shallow rocky biotopes.

How big does the Red top brevis get?

The Red top brevis grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Red top brevis dangerous to humans?

No, the Red top brevis is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Red top brevis edible?

The Red top brevis is rarely eaten.

More photos

Red top brevis (Pseudotropheus williamsi) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Red top brevis verified
Scientific name
Pseudotropheus williamsi
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Red top williamsi verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; very shallow rocky biotopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aufwuchs (algae and small animals) from the rocks sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Aufwuchs-grazing mbuna of very shallow rocks; sensitive because of its restricted range. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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