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Shorthead hap (Nyassachromis breviceps) — Cichlidae

Shorthead hap

Nyassachromis breviceps
Family: Cichlidae

The Shorthead hap (Nyassachromis breviceps) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–16.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The shorthead hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a fairly short head; dominant males turn bluish and build sand nests. As a bottom-oriented fish it hovers above sandy bottoms of the lake and sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shorthead hap?

The Shorthead hap has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Shorthead hap live?

The Shorthead hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Shorthead hap get?

The Shorthead hap grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Shorthead hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Shorthead hap is harmless to humans.

Is the Shorthead hap edible?

Yes, the Shorthead hap is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortkop-happy sourced
English name
Shorthead hap sourced
Scientific name
Nyassachromis breviceps
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Happy sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
16.0 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Nyassachromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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