Blue Lip Cichlid
CR

Blue Lip Cichlid

Haplochromis desfontainii

Declining

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

Astatotilapia desfontainii is a species of cichlid found in Algeria and Tunisia. It is found in freshwater spring, irrigated land, and canals and ditches. It is threatened by habitat loss. This species reaches a length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) TL.

Haplochromis desfontainii faces severe threats from the introduction of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria, which has caused dramatic population declines across native cichlid species. Habitat degradation from eutrophication, sedimentation, and pollution has further compromised the shallow rocky and sandy areas where this species historically thrived. Overfishing and the use of destructive fishing methods have additionally reduced population numbers and degraded critical breeding habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Haplochromis desfontainii inhabits the shallow inshore waters of Lake Victoria, particularly areas with rocky substrates and sandy bottoms where it feeds and breeds. The species prefers depths of 1-6 meters in areas with moderate water movement and adequate oxygen levels.

Artificial - Terrestrial· majorDesert· major

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Blue Lip Cichlid classified as Critically Endangered?
Blue Lip Cichlid is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Haplochromis desfontainii faces severe threats from the introduction of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria, which has caused dramatic population declines across native cichlid species. Habitat degradation from eutrophication, sedimentation, and pollution has further compromised the shallow rocky and sandy areas where this species historically thrived. Overfishing and the use of destructive fishing methods have additionally reduced population numbers and degraded critical breeding habitats.
Where does Blue Lip Cichlid live?
Blue Lip Cichlid occurs in Algeria, and Tunisia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Blue Lip Cichlid?
The main threats to Blue Lip Cichlid are 11.1, 11.2, 5.4, and 7.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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