Fin's Fish Guide
The Tanganyika featherfin (Aulonocranus dewindti) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.
Fresh water, endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, over sandy bottoms at the transition to rocks.
Description
The Tanganyika featherfin is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae reaching about 14 cm and endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The yellow-blue body with shiny blue spots has elongated, thread-like pelvic-fin rays. The species lives over sand bottoms near the transition to rocks and sifts small invertebrates and worms from the sand with its mouth (a 'sand-sifter'). It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the male defends a sand territory and after mating the female broods the fertilised eggs in her mouth and protects the young there. Like the many other Tanganyika cichlids it is part of a rich, highly specialised species flock. It is popular in the aquarium hobby.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Tanganyika featherfin?
The Tanganyika featherfin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Tanganyika cichlid with elongated, thread-like pelvic fins and small glossy blue blotches; the male broods the eggs in the mouth.
Where does the Tanganyika featherfin live?
The Tanganyika featherfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water, endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, over sandy bottoms at the transition to rocks.
How big does the Tanganyika featherfin get?
The Tanganyika featherfin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.
Is the Tanganyika featherfin dangerous to humans?
No, the Tanganyika featherfin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Tanganyika featherfin edible?
The Tanganyika featherfin is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Tanganyika featherfin?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tanganyika featherfin is one of 12,519 species in the app.