Home · Cichlidae · Cyathochromis obliquidens
Cyathochromis obliquidens — Cichlidae

Cyathochromis obliquidens

Cyathochromis obliquidens
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cyathochromis obliquidens is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
1.0–6.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Cyathochromis obliquidens is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species reaches about 15 cm and has obliquely set teeth, to which the name refers, with which it grazes loose algae from plant leaves. It occurs in shallow water always vegetated with water plants such as Vallisneria. Males are territorial and prefer to keep a nest among rocks, sometimes also among the plants, while females mainly forage in the weed beds. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids the species is a maternal mouthbrooder. It is eaten locally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cyathochromis obliquidens?

The Cyathochromis obliquidens has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Cyathochromis obliquidens live?

The Cyathochromis obliquidens lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cyathochromis obliquidens get?

The Cyathochromis obliquidens grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Cyathochromis obliquidens dangerous to humans?

No, the Cyathochromis obliquidens is harmless to humans.

Is the Cyathochromis obliquidens edible?

Yes, the Cyathochromis obliquidens is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schuintand-cichlide sourced
English name
Cyathochromis obliquidens sourced
Scientific name
Cyathochromis obliquidens
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes 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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