Humphead cichlid
📖 Overview
Rock-dwellers, often in aggregation . Omnivorous, feed on shellfish (snails and mussels) and fish . Food intake of mouth brooding females is for nourishment of both themselves and the young . Aquarium keeping: several females for one male; minimum aquarium size >200 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Humphead cichlid is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Humphead cichlid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Females incubate eggs in buccal cavity. Early hatching embryos commence feeding on inhaled particles by the female when still in possession of large yolk . In one study, larvae of up to 1.66 cm TL are mouthbrooded by a female parent 14.0 SL long .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 8.0 - ? ; dH range: 8 - 12. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 3°S - 10°S endemic to Lake Tanganyika, distributed in the northern half of the lake (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
shellfish (snails and mussels) and fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Humphead cichlid 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 Humphead cichlid is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Humphead cichlid 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paratilapia frontosa | Boulenger | 1906 | Synonym |
| Pelmatochromis frontosus | Boulenger | 1906 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Humphead cichlid.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 32 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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