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Yellowthroat mbuna (Labidochromis flavigulis) — Cichlidae

Yellowthroat mbuna

Labidochromis flavigulis
Family: Cichlidae

The Yellowthroat mbuna (Labidochromis flavigulis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
1.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Yellowthroat mbuna is an mbuna cichlid (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate body; males colour up bright blue or yellow, females stay duller. As a bottom-dweller of the rocky shore it rasps the algal mat ('aufwuchs') from rocks with a sturdy mouth and picks small invertebrates from it. It is a mouthbrooder: the female protects eggs and young in her mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowthroat mbuna?

The Yellowthroat mbuna has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Yellowthroat mbuna live?

The Yellowthroat mbuna lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Yellowthroat mbuna get?

The Yellowthroat mbuna grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Yellowthroat mbuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowthroat mbuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowthroat mbuna edible?

Yes, the Yellowthroat mbuna is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelkeel-mbuna sourced
English name
Yellowthroat mbuna sourced
Scientific name
Labidochromis flavigulis
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Chisumulu pearl sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Labidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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