Home · Cichlidae · Gephyrochromis moorii
Gephyrochromis moorii — Cichlidae

Gephyrochromis moorii

Gephyrochromis moorii
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Gephyrochromis moorii is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
6.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Moore's Malawi cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate body; males turn bluish in breeding dress. As a dweller of the sandy transition zone it grazes aufwuchs with its mouth and sifts small invertebrates from the sand. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gephyrochromis moorii?

The Gephyrochromis moorii has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Inhabitant of the sandy transition zone; mouthbrooder and sand-sifting grazer

Where does the Gephyrochromis moorii live?

The Gephyrochromis moorii lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Malawi (endemic)

How big does the Gephyrochromis moorii get?

The Gephyrochromis moorii grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Gephyrochromis moorii dangerous to humans?

No, the Gephyrochromis moorii 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 Gephyrochromis moorii edible?

The Gephyrochromis moorii is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Gephyrochromis moorii verified
Scientific name
Gephyrochromis moorii
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Lake Malawi (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm and small invertebrates from the sand inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Sand-zone cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Inhabitant of the sandy transition zone; mouthbrooder and sand-sifting grazer sourced

For anglers

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

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 Gephyrochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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