Species Profile: Haplochromis nubilus

Common Name:   Blue Victoria Mouthbrooder

Description:   A largely unspecialised cichlid compared with Lake Victoria's endemic haplochromines, lacking the specialised jaws, teeth, and feeding adaptations of many related species. This generalist nature likely enabled it to survive the Nile perch-driven collapse of the lake's cichlid fauna better than most. It inhabits Lake Victoria, its satellite lakes, and rivers throughout the basin. Breeding males are blue-black with red-edged dorsal and anal fins bearing egg-spots, while females are plain ochre-olive with a dark lateral stripe.

Category:   Cichlids

Global Region:   Africa

Distribution:   Lake Victoria basin, plus satellite lakes (Edward, George, Kachira, Kyoga, Nabugabo, Kijanebalola)

CARES Classification:   Vulnerable