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Schouteden's cichlid (Cardiopharynx schoutedeni) — Cichlidae

Schouteden's cichlid

Cardiopharynx schoutedeni
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Schouteden's cichlid (Cardiopharynx schoutedeni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Cardiopharynx schoutedeni is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species reaches about 15 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a bluish sheen. It is a semi-pelagic microorganism feeder that is common over sandy bottoms and roams in schools of several hundred fish. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and other microorganisms filtered from the water. The species is of commercial value to local fisheries and is harmless to humans. Like many Tanganyika cichlids it reproduces with parental care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Schouteden's cichlid?

The Schouteden's cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Schouteden's cichlid live?

The Schouteden's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Schouteden's cichlid get?

The Schouteden's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Schouteden's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Schouteden's cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Schouteden's cichlid edible?

Yes, the Schouteden's cichlid is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schoutedens zandcichlide sourced
English name
Schouteden's cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Cardiopharynx schoutedeni
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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

More from the family Cichlidae

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