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Victoria haplochromis (Haplochromis victorianus) — Cichlidae

Victoria haplochromis

Haplochromis victorianus
Family: Cichlidae

The Victoria haplochromis (Haplochromis victorianus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
6.0–12.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Victoria haplochromis is a cichlid from Lake Victoria and surrounding waters in East Africa. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a stocky, laterally compressed body; males are often bright blue-green to reddish, females duller. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in shallow, plant-rich water and eats invertebrates, algae and detritus. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Victoria haplochromis?

The Victoria haplochromis has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Victoria haplochromis live?

The Victoria haplochromis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Victoria haplochromis get?

The Victoria haplochromis grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Victoria haplochromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Victoria haplochromis is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Victoria-haplochromis sourced
English name
Victoria haplochromis sourced
Scientific name
Haplochromis victorianus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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