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Cunnington's featherfin (Cunningtonia longiventralis) — Cichlidae

Cunnington's featherfin

Cunningtonia longiventralis
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cunnington's featherfin (Cunningtonia longiventralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; above rocky slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Cunnington's featherfin is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a slender, silvery body; males have elongated, feather-like pelvic fins. It is gregarious and lives in groups drifting in the water column above rocky slopes. As a plankton picker it picks drifting zooplankton from open water. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth for protection. The species is popular in the aquarium. Owing to its modest size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunnington's featherfin?

The Cunnington's featherfin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Males with elongated, feather-like pelvic fins; hovering plankton picker and maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Cunnington's featherfin live?

The Cunnington's featherfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; above rocky slopes.

How big does the Cunnington's featherfin get?

The Cunnington's featherfin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Cunnington's featherfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Cunnington's featherfin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cunnington's featherfin edible?

The Cunnington's featherfin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Cunnington's featherfin (Cunningtonia longiventralis) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — George Albert Boulenger (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Cunnington's featherfin sourced
Scientific name
Cunningtonia longiventralis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; above rocky slopes.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Floating zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Males with elongated, feather-like pelvic fins; hovering plankton picker and maternal mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cichlidae

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