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Livid cichlid (Labidochromis lividus) — Cichlidae

Livid cichlid

Labidochromis lividus
Family: Cichlidae

The Livid cichlid (Labidochromis lividus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
1.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The livid cichlid is a small rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, blue-grey body; dominant males flush with colour in courtship. As a rock-dweller it lives in the shallow, rocky shore zone and grazes aufwuchs and small invertebrates from the stones with fine teeth. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Livid cichlid?

The Livid cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Livid cichlid live?

The Livid cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Livid cichlid get?

The Livid cichlid grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Livid cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Livid cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Livid cichlid edible?

Yes, the Livid cichlid is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwgrijze mbuna sourced
English name
Livid cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Labidochromis lividus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 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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