Cyrtocara
| Cyrtocara | |
|---|---|
| File:Cyrtocara moorii.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Error creating thumbnail: | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Tribe: | Haplochromini |
| Genus: | Cyrtocara Boulenger, 1902 |
| Species: | C. moorii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyrtocara moorii Boulenger, 1902
| |
Cyrtocara moorii, commonly known as the hump-head, is a species of haplochromine 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.[2] The specific name honours the English cytologist and biologist John Edmund Sharrock Moore (1870-1947).[3]
Description
[edit | edit source]They are varying shades of blue, ranging from turquoise to a silvery-blue, and grow a distinctive hump on their forehead. The male is usually brighter blue than the female.[4]
Aquarium care
[edit | edit source]The Malawi dolphin is best kept at temperatures of 75–78 °F. It is relatively tame except when it is spawning.
The minimum aquarium size should be 48 gallons but increased as the fish grows larger.[4]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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