Home · Cichlidae · Katavi mouthbrooder
Katavi mouthbrooder (Haplochromis katavi) — Cichlidae

Katavi mouthbrooder

Haplochromis katavi
Family: Cichlidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Katavi mouthbrooder (Haplochromis katavi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Katavi haplo is a haplochromine cichlid (Cichlidae) from East Africa. The species has an elongate body; courting males colour more brightly than the inconspicuous females. It inhabits shallow shore waters of the Rukwa-Katavi region. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae and plant matter. As a haplochromine cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. Through habitat loss it is considered vulnerable. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Katavi mouthbrooder?

The Katavi mouthbrooder has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Katavi mouthbrooder live?

The Katavi mouthbrooder lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Katavi mouthbrooder get?

The Katavi mouthbrooder grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Katavi mouthbrooder dangerous to humans?

No, the Katavi mouthbrooder is harmless to humans.

Is the Katavi mouthbrooder edible?

The Katavi mouthbrooder is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Katavi-cichlide sourced
English name
Katavi mouthbrooder verified
Scientific name
Haplochromis katavi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →