Home · Cichlidae · Lamprologus laparogramma
Lamprologus laparogramma — Cichlidae

Lamprologus laparogramma

Lamprologus laparogramma
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lamprologus laparogramma is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
5.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Tanganyika (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped Tanganyika cichlid is a very small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species reaches only about 4 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with large eyes. It belongs to the shell-dwelling cichlids: it lives in large numbers over soft bottoms and lays its eggs in empty snail shells, which it also uses as shelter. It feeds on small zooplankton. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lamprologus laparogramma?

The Lamprologus laparogramma has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Shell-dwelling cichlid; breeds and shelters in empty snail shells

Where does the Lamprologus laparogramma live?

The Lamprologus laparogramma lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Tanganyika (endemic)

How big does the Lamprologus laparogramma get?

The Lamprologus laparogramma grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Lamprologus laparogramma dangerous to humans?

No, the Lamprologus laparogramma 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 Lamprologus laparogramma edible?

The Lamprologus laparogramma is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Lamprologus laparogramma verified
Scientific name
Lamprologus laparogramma
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked 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
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Lake Tanganyika (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Large groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Shell-dwelling lake cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Shell-dwelling cichlid; breeds and shelters in empty snail shells 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 Lamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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