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Southern filter cichlid (Chaetobranchopsis australis) — Cichlidae

Southern filter cichlid

Chaetobranchopsis australis
Family: Cichlidae

The Southern filter cichlid (Chaetobranchopsis australis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The southern filter cichlid is a cichlid from fresh water of the Paraguay and Pantanal region in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with a dark flank spot and large eyes. With numerous long gill rakers it filters zooplankton from the water of quiet river backwaters and floodplains. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern filter cichlid?

The Southern filter cichlid has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Southern filter cichlid live?

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

How big does the Southern filter cichlid get?

The Southern filter cichlid grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Southern filter cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern filter cichlid is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke filtercichlide sourced
English name
Southern filter cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Chaetobranchopsis australis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cichlidae

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