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Boulenger's Kivu haplo (Haplochromis gracilior) — Cichlidae

Boulenger's Kivu haplo

Haplochromis gracilior
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Boulenger's Kivu haplo (Haplochromis gracilior) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Haplochromis gracilior is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Kivu in East Africa, on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species has a slender, elongate body and reaches about 10 cm. Like other haplochromine cichlids it is a mouthbrooder, with the female protecting the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish is part of the species-rich cichlid community of Lake Kivu and presumably feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Relatively little detailed information is available on the precise ecology of this species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boulenger's Kivu haplo?

The Boulenger's Kivu haplo has an elongate, eel-like body.

Where does the Boulenger's Kivu haplo live?

The Boulenger's Kivu haplo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Boulenger's Kivu haplo get?

The Boulenger's Kivu haplo grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Boulenger's Kivu haplo dangerous to humans?

No, the Boulenger's Kivu haplo is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kivu-haplochromis sourced
English name
Boulenger's Kivu haplo verified
Scientific name
Haplochromis gracilior
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

Same genus Haplochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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