Blunthead cichlid
📖 Overview
Adults are solitary . Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter . Females brood their young in the mouth . Aquarium keeping: feed on epiphyton; many females for one male; minimum aquarium size 150 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Blunthead cichlid is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blunthead cichlid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blunthead cichlid is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Female lays only a few eggs. Female collects eggs up into her mouth before they sink to the bottom and then moves to the genital area of the male. There the sperm are shed and taken into the mouth of the female where fertilization takes place. Eggs hatch after about 4 weeks of incubation . Produces 5-17 eggs . In one study, eggs from the cleavage phase and larvae of up to 1.45 cm TL are mouthbrooded by female parents ranging from 6.2 to 7.9 cm SL long .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 8.0 - 9.0; dH range: 9 - 19. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C ; 3°S - 9°S Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.
🌿 Ecology
worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blunthead 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 Blunthead cichlid is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blunthead cichlid has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropheus moorei moorei | Boulenger | 1898 | Synonym |
| Tropheus moorii moorii | Boulenger | 1898 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 90 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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