Home · Cichlidae · Haplochromis cinereus
Haplochromis cinereus — Cichlidae

Haplochromis cinereus

Haplochromis cinereus
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Haplochromis cinereus is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–7.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Victoria
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Haplochromis cinereus?

Get the app

Description

Haplochromis cinereus is a small cichlid from Lake Victoria and surroundings in East Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, greyish body; males colour up more brightly in breeding dress. As a bottom-dweller of shallow water it searches for small invertebrates, insect larvae and aufwuchs. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. Owing to introduced species many Victoria cichlids are under pressure. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis cinereus?

The Haplochromis cinereus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Greyish body; bottom-foraging mouthbrooder

Where does the Haplochromis cinereus live?

The Haplochromis cinereus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Victoria

How big does the Haplochromis cinereus get?

The Haplochromis cinereus grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Haplochromis cinereus dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis cinereus 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 Haplochromis cinereus edible?

The Haplochromis cinereus is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Haplochromis cinereus?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Haplochromis cinereus verified
Scientific name
Haplochromis cinereus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Max depth (m)
7.0 verified
Natural range
Lake Victoria verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae and biofilm inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-foraging lake cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Greyish body; bottom-foraging mouthbrooder 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 Haplochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Haplochromis cinereus?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Haplochromis cinereus? Get the app