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Yellow cichlid (Thorichthys helleri) — Cichlidae

Yellow cichlid

Thorichthys helleri
Family: Cichlidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Yellow cichlid (Thorichthys helleri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Thorichthys helleri, the yellow cichlid, is a cichlid of Central America. The species reaches about 14 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body in yellowish to brown tones with blue speckles and a dark spot on the gill cover. It inhabits the lower and middle reaches of river valleys, in calm to slow-flowing water. Its diet consists of small invertebrates, insect larvae and plant matter, which it sifts from the soft sediment. As a substrate spawner both parents tend the brood. Owing to limited data its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow cichlid?

The Yellow cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Yellow cichlid live?

The Yellow cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Yellow cichlid get?

The Yellow cichlid grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Yellow cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellow cichlid edible?

The Yellow cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gele cichlide sourced
English name
Yellow cichlid verified
Scientific name
Thorichthys helleri
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Thorichthys

More from the family Cichlidae

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