Home · Cichlidae · Bumblebee cichlid
Bumblebee cichlid (Pseudotropheus crabro) — Cichlidae

Bumblebee cichlid

Pseudotropheus crabro
Family: Cichlidae

The Bumblebee cichlid (Pseudotropheus crabro) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
15.0–18.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bumblebee cichlid is an mbuna cichlid (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, yellow body with broad black crossbars, like a bumblebee. It lives along the rocky shore and has a special bond with the catfish Bagrus: it picks parasites from its skin but also eats its eggs. It also rasps algae and searches for small invertebrates. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bumblebee cichlid?

The Bumblebee cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Bumblebee cichlid live?

The Bumblebee cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bumblebee cichlid get?

The Bumblebee cichlid grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Bumblebee cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Bumblebee cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Bumblebee cichlid edible?

Yes, the Bumblebee cichlid is commonly 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
Hommel-mbuna sourced
English name
Bumblebee cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Pseudotropheus crabro
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Pseudotropheus

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 →