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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Mchenga eucinostomus Regan, 1922
Max Length
14 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Occurs in inshore areas of the lake, where it is common over wave-washed sandy bottoms, and feeds on zooplankton . Parental care is provided by mouth-brooding females .

Scientific Name
Mchenga eucinostomus
Authority
Regan, 1922
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
14 cm
Trophic Level
3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Water Temp
23–27 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: 17 gill rakers on first ceratobranchial; premaxillary pedicel 37-40% HL; teeth in outer rows on dentary and premaxilla small and bicuspid .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.4 - 8.4; dH range: 7 - 30. Tropical; 23°C - 27°C ; 9°S - 12°S north of Lake Malawi; known only from the types.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3±0.12
Food Items

zooplankton (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
14cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
23–27°C
pH Range
7.4–8.4
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
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Regan, 1922

🍽️ 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
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Copadichromis eucinostomus Regan 1922 Synonym
Cyrtocara eucinostoma Regan 1922 Synonym
Haplochromis eucinostomus Regan 1922 Synonym
Haplochromis eusinostomus Regan 1922 Synonym
Nyassachromis eucinostomus Regan 1922 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 22 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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