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Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) — Cichlidae

Deepwater hap

Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deepwater hap (Alticorpus macrocleithrum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
30–150 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The deepwater hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a streamlined body with large eyes and, characteristic of deepwater cichlids, a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws to detect prey in the dim depths. It is a typical deepwater species with a fairly even distribution below 60 metres. As a bottom searcher it sifts small invertebrates from the sediment. As a maternal mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater hap?

The Deepwater hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep-water species with a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws; maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Deepwater hap live?

The Deepwater hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m.

How big does the Deepwater hap get?

The Deepwater hap grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Deepwater hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater hap is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepwater hap edible?

The Deepwater hap is rarely eaten.

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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Deepwater hap is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Deepwater hap sourced
Scientific name
Alticorpus macrocleithrum
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
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
Min depth (m)
30 verified
Max depth (m)
150 verified
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; deep water below 60 m.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sediment 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
Deep-water species with a strongly developed sensory system along the head and jaws; maternal mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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

Same genus Alticorpus

More from the family Cichlidae

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