Happy
📖 Overview
Found over sandy bottom but frequently stays in midwater. A specialized predator which steals brood from females by ramming the head from below. Stomach contents revealed only eggs, larvae and fry .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 10. Diagnosis: deeper bodied with generally a somewhat thicker oblique stripe on the body and a less oblique mouth than C. orthognathus . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Happy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 11°S - 15°S West Island.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Happy is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Happy is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Happy has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Happy |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | leukamalawinahven |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyrtocara liemi | McKaye & Mackenzie | 1982 | Synonym |
| Maravichromis liemi | McKaye & MacKenzie | 1982 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Happy.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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