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White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) — Cichlidae

White-lipped placidochromis

Placidochromis phenochilus
Family: Cichlidae

The White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Malawi

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Description

The white-lipped placidochromis is a cichlid from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 16 cm and has an elongate, glossy blue body with conspicuously thick, white lips. As a bottom-dweller it often follows larger, sand-digging cichlids and picks up small invertebrates released by their digging. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-lipped placidochromis?

The White-lipped placidochromis has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the White-lipped placidochromis live?

The White-lipped placidochromis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Africa: Malawi

How big does the White-lipped placidochromis get?

The White-lipped placidochromis grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the White-lipped placidochromis dangerous to humans?

No, the White-lipped placidochromis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — MdE (CC BY-SA 3.0)
White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada (CC BY 2.0)
White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Oskar King, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White-lipped placidochromis (Placidochromis phenochilus) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Vassil (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
White-lipped placidochromis sourced
Scientific name
Placidochromis phenochilus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Malawi sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Placidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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