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Evelyn's cichlid (Docimodus evelynae) — Cichlidae

Evelyn's cichlid

Docimodus evelynae
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Evelyn's cichlid (Docimodus evelynae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Evelyn's cichlid is a remarkable cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, widespread in rocky and intermediate zones. It grows to about 20 cm. Striking is its shifting diet: juveniles eat aufwuchs and plankton, sub-adults pick fungus and skin from other fish, and adults feed on the skin and scales of catfish and other fish. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids it is a mouthbrooder. It is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Evelyn's cichlid?

The Evelyn's cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Evelyn's cichlid live?

The Evelyn's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Evelyn's cichlid get?

The Evelyn's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Evelyn's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Evelyn's cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Evelyn's cichlid edible?

The Evelyn's cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Evelyns schubeter verified
English name
Evelyn's cichlid verified
Scientific name
Docimodus evelynae
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Chigumbuli sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Docimodus

More from the family Cichlidae

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