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Deepwater lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus profundicola) — Cichlidae

Deepwater lamprologus

Lepidiolamprologus profundicola
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Deepwater lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus profundicola) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The deepwater lamprologus is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, light-grey body with dark markings and a large mouth. It is usually solitary, lives among rocks and does not roam the wide open sandy bottoms. As an ambush piscivore it hunts small fishes and larger invertebrates. As a substrate spawner it lays its eggs in a cavity or crevice and the pair guards the brood. The species is one of the larger rock-dwelling predatory cichlids of the lake and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater lamprologus?

The Deepwater lamprologus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Deepwater lamprologus live?

The Deepwater lamprologus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Deepwater lamprologus get?

The Deepwater lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Deepwater lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater lamprologus is harmless to humans.

Is the Deepwater lamprologus edible?

The Deepwater lamprologus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-roofcichlide (Tanganyika) sourced
English name
Deepwater lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Lepidiolamprologus profundicola
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Lepidiolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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