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Jentink's cichlid (Tylochromis jentinki) — Cichlidae

Jentink's cichlid

Tylochromis jentinki
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Jentink's cichlid (Tylochromis jentinki) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Jentink's cichlid is a West African cichlid that lives mainly in brackish water but is also found upstream in rivers. The species has a stocky, silvery-grey body with a continuous, spiny dorsal fin and grows to about 27 cm. It is an opportunistic bottom feeder that eats mainly insects and their larvae. The species is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth and does not form a pair bond. Tylochromis cichlids occur in estuaries and lagoons along the West African coast. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jentink's cichlid?

The Jentink's cichlid has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Jentink's cichlid live?

The Jentink's cichlid lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Jentink's cichlid get?

The Jentink's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Jentink's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Jentink's cichlid is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jentinks cichlide sourced
English name
Jentink's cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Tylochromis jentinki
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Tylochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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