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Placidochromis longimanus — Cichlidae

Placidochromis longimanus

Placidochromis longimanus
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Placidochromis longimanus is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Malawi (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longarm Malawi cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate body with fairly long pectoral fins; males colour up bluish in breeding dress. As a dweller of the sandy transition zone it often follows digging cichlids and picks up disturbed invertebrates. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Placidochromis longimanus?

The Placidochromis longimanus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Follows digging cichlids and picks up stirred-up prey; mouthbrooder

Where does the Placidochromis longimanus live?

The Placidochromis longimanus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Lake Malawi (endemic)

How big does the Placidochromis longimanus get?

The Placidochromis longimanus grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Placidochromis longimanus dangerous to humans?

No, the Placidochromis longimanus 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 Placidochromis longimanus edible?

The Placidochromis longimanus is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Placidochromis longimanus verified
Scientific name
Placidochromis longimanus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Malawi (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Stirred-up small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Sand-zone cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Follows digging cichlids and picks up stirred-up prey; mouthbrooder 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 Placidochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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