The Haplochromis Cichlid (Haplochromis nyererieor Pundamilia nyererei) is a freshwater fish in the Cichlidae family of cichlids.

The Haplochromis Cichlid male has metallic green, blue, pink, and orange scales on its side. The female Is less colourful. The male and female have a humped forehead and a projected lower jaw.

It grows to 7-8 centimetres (3 inches) in length.

It is endemic to Lake Victoria, covering three countries in Africa: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. 

It is herbivorous. It eats algae, mostly from underwater logs and tree roots. It uses its sharp teeth to remove algae from the wood. 

It is often found in groups of 3-10 individuals, called schools. 

The female is a ovophile mouthbrooder. The female hatches about 300 eggs at a time in her buchal pouch in her mouth. When the eggs hatch into young, called fry, the mother protects them by keeping them in her mouth. She doesn’t eat them. She holds her young in her mouth for about 21 days. After 21 days, she spits out her young. They become independent and have to look after themselves. 

Location of photograph: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls:SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM