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Giant labidochromis (Labidochromis gigas) — Cichlidae

Giant labidochromis

Labidochromis gigas
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Giant labidochromis (Labidochromis gigas) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
5.0–22.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The giant labidochromis is an mbuna cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm, large for the genus; breeding males are handsomely coloured yellow to blue. It lives in the rocky shore zone and picks small invertebrates from the algal growth (aufwuchs) and crevices with its pointed mouth. Like other mbuna it is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant labidochromis?

The Giant labidochromis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Giant labidochromis live?

The Giant labidochromis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Giant labidochromis get?

The Giant labidochromis grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Giant labidochromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant labidochromis is harmless to humans.

Is the Giant labidochromis edible?

The Giant labidochromis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grote labidochromis verified
English name
Giant labidochromis verified
Scientific name
Labidochromis gigas
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
22.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Labidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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