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Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae

Cunnington's lamprologus

Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni
Family: Cichlidae

The Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni is a slender, predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has an elongate, streamlined, silvery body with fine dark markings and reaches about 20 cm. It lives over sandy bottoms, often near the sand-to-rock transition, where it hunts small fishes as an ambush predator. Like other Lepidiolamprologus species it is a substrate spawner that lays and guards its eggs on a surface. Owing to its elegant, streamlined shape and hunting behaviour the species is prized by advanced cichlid keepers and of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunnington's lamprologus?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Slender, streamlined stalking predator on sandy bottoms; substrate brooder.

Where does the Cunnington's lamprologus live?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

How big does the Cunnington's lamprologus get?

The Cunnington's lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Cunnington's lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Cunnington's lamprologus is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cunnington's lamprologus edible?

The Cunnington's lamprologus is rarely eaten.

More photos

Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Eric van den Berghe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Guérin Nicolas (messages) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cunnington's lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Guérin Nicolas (messages) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Cunnington's lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
20 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Slender, streamlined stalking predator on sandy bottoms; substrate brooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lepidiolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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