Home · Cichlidae · Deepwater hap
Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) — Cichlidae

Deepwater hap

Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
30.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The deepwater hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a streamlined body with large eyes and, characteristic of deepwater cichlids, a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws to detect prey in the dim depths. It is a typical deepwater species with a fairly even distribution below 60 metres. As a bottom searcher it sifts small invertebrates from the sediment. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater hap?

The Deepwater hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Deepwater hap live?

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

How big does the Deepwater hap get?

The Deepwater hap grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Deepwater hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater hap is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepwater hap edible?

The Deepwater hap is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-Malawicichlide sourced
English name
Deepwater hap sourced
Scientific name
Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Alticorpus

More from the family Cichlidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →