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Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) — Cichlidae

Zambezi bream

Pharyngochromis acuticeps
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Africa; rivers, lakes and pools.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Zambezi happy is an African cichlid (Cichlidae) from southern Africa. The species has an elongate body with a fairly pointed head; males are more handsomely coloured than females. It is highly adaptable and occurs in various habitats, from rivers to lakes and pools. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insects, small fishes and plant matter. As a cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zambezi bream?

The Zambezi bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Highly adaptable river cichlid with a pointed head; maternal mouthbrooder of southern Africa.

Where does the Zambezi bream live?

The Zambezi bream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern Africa; rivers, lakes and pools.

How big does the Zambezi bream get?

The Zambezi bream grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Zambezi bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Zambezi bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Zambezi bream edible?

The Zambezi bream is rarely eaten.

More photos

Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Taylor (CC BY 4.0)
Zambezi bream (Pharyngochromis acuticeps) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Taylor (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Zambezi bream verified
Scientific name
Pharyngochromis acuticeps
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Zambezi dream; Zambezi happy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Southern Africa; rivers, lakes and pools. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insects, small fishes and plant material 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
Highly adaptable river cichlid with a pointed head; maternal mouthbrooder of southern Africa. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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 Pharyngochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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