Home · Cichlidae · Haplochromis obliquidens
Haplochromis obliquidens — Cichlidae

Haplochromis obliquidens

Haplochromis obliquidens
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Haplochromis obliquidens is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Victoria
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Haplochromis obliquidens is a small cichlid from Lake Victoria and surroundings in East Africa. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky body with obliquely set teeth with which it rasps algal mat from rocks; males colour up handsomely red, yellow and blue in breeding dress. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. It appears in the aquarium hobby. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis obliquidens?

The Haplochromis obliquidens has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Obliquely set teeth for scraping algal mat; beautifully coloured mouthbrooder

Where does the Haplochromis obliquidens live?

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

How big does the Haplochromis obliquidens get?

The Haplochromis obliquidens grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Haplochromis obliquidens dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis obliquidens 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 obliquidens edible?

The Haplochromis obliquidens is not usually eaten.

More photos

Haplochromis obliquidens — Cichlidae — 2
The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Haplochromis obliquidens verified
Scientific name
Haplochromis obliquidens
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
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
Natural range
Lake Victoria verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algal mat (aufwuchs) from rocks inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Algae-rasping lake cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Obliquely set teeth for scraping algal mat; beautifully coloured 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

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