Home · Cichlidae · Toa lamprologus
Toa lamprologus (Neolamprologus toae) — Cichlidae

Toa lamprologus

Neolamprologus toae
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Toa lamprologus (Neolamprologus toae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Toa lamprologus is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, brownish body that hides well among rocks. It lives along rocky slopes and in rubble zones of the lake. At night it forages on insect larvae and other small invertebrates from the bottom. Like many Tanganyika cichlids it is territorial and guards its brood in a crevice or cavity. The Toa lamprologus is traded in the aquarium hobby and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Toa lamprologus?

The Toa lamprologus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Toa lamprologus live?

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

How big does the Toa lamprologus get?

The Toa lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Toa lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Toa lamprologus is harmless to humans.

Is the Toa lamprologus edible?

The Toa lamprologus is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Toa-cichlide sourced
English name
Toa lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Neolamprologus toae
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

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 Neolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →