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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Caprichromis orthognathus Trewavas, 1935
Max Length
19.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Mainly observed off sandy beaches at about 15 m depth , but occurs in both shallow and deep water. Normally stays in midwater where it is also found over rocks; although no actual feeding on larvae has been observed, this species is reported to be a paedophage that rams the head of a mouth-brooding female from below .

Scientific Name
Caprichromis orthognathus
Authority
Trewavas, 1935
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
19.5 cm
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: gums thicker, teeth less visible and mouth with more steeply angled jaws than C. liemi .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for aquarium is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for aquarium is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 9°S - 15°S Endemic to Lake Malawi.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
4±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01445 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
19.5cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
23.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Trewavas, 1935

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"aquarium is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for aquarium is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for aquarium has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Caprichromis orthognathous Trewavas 1935 Synonym
Cyrtocara orthognathus Trewavas 1935 Synonym
Haplochromis orthognathus Trewavas 1935 Synonym
Mylochromis orthognathus Trewavas 1935 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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