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Tigerfish (Rhamphochromis longiceps) — Cichlidae

Tigerfish

Rhamphochromis longiceps
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tigerfish (Rhamphochromis longiceps) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–148.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Malawi sardine cichlid is a slender, pike-like predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 28 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large, toothed mouth. As a pelagic hunter it swims in open water and hunts small schooling fish, especially freshwater sardines. Like other Malawi cichlids it is a mouthbrooder. The fish is a local food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tigerfish?

The Tigerfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tigerfish live?

The Tigerfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Tigerfish get?

The Tigerfish grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Tigerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tigerfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Tigerfish edible?

Yes, the Tigerfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Malawi-tijgervis verified
English name
Tigerfish verified
Scientific name
Rhamphochromis longiceps
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Tigerfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
148.0 verified
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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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 Rhamphochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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