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Uaru (Uaru amphiacanthoides) — Cichlidae

Uaru

Uaru amphiacanthoides
Family: Cichlidae

The Uaru (Uaru amphiacanthoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The uaru or triangle cichlid is a South American cichlid from quiet blackwater of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, light-brown body with a large, triangular dark blotch on the flank; juveniles are darkly spotted. As a calm, pair-forming fish it lives among submerged wood and eats mainly water plants, fruit, seeds and small invertebrates. The young graze on a skin secretion of the parents. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Uaru?

The Uaru has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Uaru live?

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

How big does the Uaru get?

The Uaru grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Uaru dangerous to humans?

No, the Uaru is harmless to humans.

Is the Uaru edible?

The Uaru is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Uaru sourced
English name
Uaru sourced
Scientific name
Uaru amphiacanthoides
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Triangle cichlid; Uaru verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cichlidae

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