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Wood's hap (Stigmatochromis woodi) — Cichlidae

Wood's hap

Stigmatochromis woodi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Wood's hap (Stigmatochromis woodi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Wood's hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, slender predatory body; courting males colour up bluish. Larger specimens are usually encountered over open sand at deeper levels. It is a piscivore that hunts its prey over the sand, usually in pairs or in large groups. It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wood's hap?

The Wood's hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Wood's hap live?

The Wood's hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Wood's hap get?

The Wood's hap grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Wood's hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Wood's hap is harmless to humans.

Is the Wood's hap edible?

The Wood's hap is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Woods roofcichlide sourced
English name
Wood's hap sourced
Scientific name
Stigmatochromis woodi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Stigmatochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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