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Setting up your tank

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Giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) fish species and information / pictures of Giant cichlid - Boulengerochromis microlepis

Giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Boulengerochromis microlepis

Common Name
Giant cichlid

Biology
Inhabits near-shore surface waters. Firm flesh is highly valued (Ref. 4967). Largest African cichlid (Ref. 4537).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1899

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Endemic to and widely distributed in Lake Tanganyika.

Range

3°S - 9°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

85 m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 9.0 - ? ; dH range: 10 - ? pelagic; depth range ? - 85 m

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

65.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.56; tm=2.5; Fec=10,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)