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Yellowchin lamprologus (Neolamprologus mustax) — Cichlidae

Yellowchin lamprologus

Neolamprologus mustax
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellowchin lamprologus (Neolamprologus mustax) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky zone.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The yellowchin lamprologus is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, brown-grey body with sometimes yellow tints around the throat and chin. It inhabits the rocky zone of the lake, where it shelters among stones and in crevices. As a bottom searcher it picks invertebrates from the biocover and from deep recesses and crevices of the rocks. As a substrate spawner it lays its eggs in a cavity and the pair guards the brood. The species is popular with advanced aquarists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowchin lamprologus?

The Yellowchin lamprologus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Sometimes yellow tints around the throat and chin; rock-dwelling substrate brooder of Lake Tanganyika.

Where does the Yellowchin lamprologus live?

The Yellowchin lamprologus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky zone.

How big does the Yellowchin lamprologus get?

The Yellowchin lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Yellowchin lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowchin lamprologus is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowchin lamprologus edible?

The Yellowchin lamprologus is not usually eaten.

More photos

Yellowchin lamprologus (Neolamprologus mustax) — Cichlidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Yellowchin lamprologus (Neolamprologus mustax) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Friedrich Rosian, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowchin lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Neolamprologus mustax
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky zone. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates from the biofilm and from rock crevices sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Sometimes yellow tints around the throat and chin; rock-dwelling substrate brooder of Lake Tanganyika. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Neolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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