Home · Cichlidae · Labidochromis maculicauda
Labidochromis maculicauda — Cichlidae

Labidochromis maculicauda

Labidochromis maculicauda
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Labidochromis maculicauda is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spottail Labidochromis is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender body; males colour up bluish with dark accents on the tail in breeding dress. As a dweller of the rocky zone it uses its pointed mouth to pick small invertebrates and aufwuchs from crevices. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Labidochromis maculicauda?

The Labidochromis maculicauda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Pointed mouth for picking prey from crevices; rock-dwelling mouthbrooder

Where does the Labidochromis maculicauda live?

The Labidochromis maculicauda lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Malawi (endemic)

How big does the Labidochromis maculicauda get?

The Labidochromis maculicauda grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Labidochromis maculicauda dangerous to humans?

No, the Labidochromis maculicauda 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 Labidochromis maculicauda edible?

The Labidochromis maculicauda is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Labidochromis maculicauda verified
Scientific name
Labidochromis maculicauda
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin 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 Malawi (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and biofilm inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Rock-dwelling lake cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pointed mouth for picking prey from crevices; rock-dwelling 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 Labidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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