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Rainbow dream (Sargochromis carlottae) — Cichlidae

Rainbow dream

Sargochromis carlottae
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Rainbow dream (Sargochromis carlottae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
34.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The rainbow happy is a cichlid from southern Africa, occurring in the Okavango and Zambezi systems. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky, silvery body. It favours deep, permanent channels and lagoons of floodplains, with a sandy bottom and vegetation. As a bottom feeder it eats aquatic insects, crustaceans and especially snails, which it crushes with powerful pharyngeal teeth. The species is an open-substrate spawner. It is a valued food and angling fish in the region. The rainbow happy is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rainbow dream?

The Rainbow dream has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Rainbow dream live?

The Rainbow dream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Rainbow dream get?

The Rainbow dream grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Rainbow dream dangerous to humans?

No, the Rainbow dream is harmless to humans.

Is the Rainbow dream edible?

Yes, the Rainbow dream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Carlottes cichlide sourced
English name
Rainbow dream verified
Scientific name
Sargochromis carlottae
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Rainbow happy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.5 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met worm, slak of klein aas nabij de bodem in diepe kanalen en lagunes. sourced
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 Sargochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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