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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Ctenopharynx pictus Trewavas, 1935
Max Length
12.6 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone

📖 Overview

Inhabits rocky areas with a deposit of fine sediment , but also found on soft-bottom habitats . Feeds on small invertebrates, mainly benthic copepods obtained by sucking up the fine sediment and passing it over the gill-rakers .

Scientific Name
Ctenopharynx pictus
Authority
Trewavas, 1935
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
12.6 cm
Trophic Level
3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Water Temp
24–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: high number of gill-rakers on lower outer arch (32-38); long head, 35.6-40.6% of standard length, and correlated with this a more posterior position of dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins; long premaxillary pedicel, 33.0-38.4% head length .

🌀 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; depth range ? - 78 m . Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 9°S - 15°S West Islands and the north end of Lake Malawi.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3
Food Items

small invertebrates, mainly benthic copepods (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01862 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
12.6cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–26°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
15.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3
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
Cyrtocara picta Trewavas 1935 Synonym
Haplochromis pictus Trewavas 1935 Synonym
Otopharynx pictus Trewavas 1935 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 26 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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