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Tricoti cichlid (Benthochromis tricoti) — Cichlidae

Tricoti cichlid

Benthochromis tricoti
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tricoti cichlid (Benthochromis tricoti) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Tricoti cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has an elongate, laterally compressed body with long, graceful fins; courting males are handsomely coloured blue and yellow. It lives in the deeper, open water layers above steep slopes. It feeds on small crustaceans and plankton that it picks from the water column. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tricoti cichlid?

The Tricoti cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tricoti cichlid live?

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

How big does the Tricoti cichlid get?

The Tricoti cichlid grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Tricoti cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Tricoti cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Tricoti cichlid edible?

The Tricoti cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-Tanganyikacichlide sourced
English name
Tricoti cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Benthochromis tricoti
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Benthochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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