Cyrtocara

Cyrtocara moorii
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Tribe: Haplochromini
Genus: Cyrtocara
Boulenger, 1902
Species: C. moori
Binomial name
Cyrtocara moorii
Boulenger, 1902

Cyrtocara moorii, commonly known as the Hump-head, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa where they prefer areas with sandy substrates. It can grow to a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. The species is popular among aquarium keepers where it is known as the hump-head cichlid, blue dolphin cichlid, Malawi dolphin or simply as moorii. It is currently the only known member of its genus.[1]

Description

They are varying shades of blue, ranging from turquoise to a silvery-blue, and grow a distinctive hump on their forehead.

Aquarium care

The Malawi dolphin is best kept at temperatures of 75-78°F. It is relatively tame except when it is spawning.

References

  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Cyrtocara moorii" in FishBase. February 2013 version.

See also