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Trematocara (Trematocara marginatum) — Cichlidae

Trematocara

Trematocara marginatum
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Trematocara (Trematocara marginatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Trematocara marginatum is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species reaches about 10 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with large eyes. The genus Trematocara includes the deepest-occurring cichlids in the lake; by day the fish stay at great depth and at night they migrate to shallower water to forage. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. The species lives in schools and is of local fishery value. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Trematocara?

The Trematocara has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Trematocara live?

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

How big does the Trematocara get?

The Trematocara grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Trematocara dangerous to humans?

No, the Trematocara is harmless to humans.

Is the Trematocara edible?

The Trematocara is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-Tanganjikacichlide sourced
English name
Trematocara sourced
Scientific name
Trematocara marginatum
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal 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 Trematocara

More from the family Cichlidae

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