Home · Cichlidae · Blue neon cichlid
Blue neon cichlid (Paracyprichromis nigripinnis) — Cichlidae

Blue neon cichlid

Paracyprichromis nigripinnis
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue neon cichlid (Paracyprichromis nigripinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blue neon cichlid is a slender, schooling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, dark body with iridescent blue longitudinal lines, especially striking under artificial light. It lives in schools along steep rock walls and over deeper water and catches zooplankton. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans, popular in the aquarium trade and assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue neon cichlid?

The Blue neon cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blue neon cichlid live?

The Blue neon cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blue neon cichlid get?

The Blue neon cichlid grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blue neon cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue neon cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue neon cichlid edible?

The Blue neon cichlid 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
Zwartvin-heringcichlide verified
English name
Blue neon cichlid verified
Scientific name
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Paracyprichromis

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 →