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Pearl cichlid (Amphilophus margaritifer) — Cichlidae

Pearl cichlid

Amphilophus margaritifer
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pearl cichlid (Amphilophus margaritifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pearl cichlid is a cichlid from fresh water of the Amazon basin of South America. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a stocky body with a row of shiny, pearl-like spots on the flank. As a bottom-dweller it lives in slow rivers and pools among roots and wood and feeds on insect larvae, small crustaceans and plant matter. It is a caring parental fish that guards its eggs and young. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearl cichlid?

The Pearl cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Pearl cichlid live?

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

How big does the Pearl cichlid get?

The Pearl cichlid grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Pearl cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearl cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Pearl cichlid edible?

The Pearl cichlid is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Parel-cichlide verified
English name
Pearl cichlid verified
Scientific name
Amphilophus margaritifer
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Amphilophus

More from the family Cichlidae

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