Current Category African Cichlids- Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika in eastern Africa is the second deepest lake in the world. With a length of about 600 kilometres and a total shoreline estimated at 2000 kilometres, the lake is home to a vast array of Cichlids (approximately 200 species, plus many colour variations within some species). Virtually all of these Cichlids are endemic to the lake (i.e. they occur nowhere else).   Many of them are very popular as aquarium fish, because of their fascinating behaviour and attractive appearance. With so many types to choose from, they can range from fish that are very easy to keep and breed through to species that are a real challenge for even the most experienced fish hobbyists.

The water in Lake Tanganyika is very alkaline (pH 8.6-9.5) with a high mineral count. Using Rift Lake Conditioning Salts provides the water requirements necessary for these fish. Being tropical fish, a water temperature of 23-27 C is satisfactory. These fish have healthy appetites and will eat most fish foods, but it is worth noting there are several products specifically designed to meet the needs of these active fish (e.g. HBH cichlid foods.) Avoid feeding beefheart or other fatty meats to these Cichlids, as it can lead to health problems – especially for herbivores such as Tropheus.

Most Tanganyikan Cichlids are territorial to varying degrees, but this can be managed in different ways such as:

Fully stock the aquarium rather than lightly stock it (thereby diluting the effect of any overly aggressive individual, and also making it harder to establish or hold territories).

Provide plenty of cover (rocks, driftwood, etc) in display or breeding set-ups.

Rearrange the aquarium décor whenever new fish are added, thereby disrupting the territories of the original occupants.  For most Tropheus varieties, a group of at least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

The breeding methods of Tanganyikan Cichlids vary considerably, many guard their eggs in rock crevices, some dwarf types use empty snail shells. Quite a few species such as Tropheus are mouthbrooders; and some male mouthbrooders such as Ophthalmotilapia (Featherfins) build elaborate spawning nests. Quite a few Tanganyikan Cichlids will readily breed in retail or home aquariums, with a few fry often surviving amongst the rocks without any special care.

PRINCESS CICHLID (N. BRICHARDI) 3CM

This graceful looking cichlid is a very popular aquarium fish, also known by imaginative names such as Princess of Burundi and Fairy Cichlid.  This species has a wide distribution in the lake, face markings and/or body markings can vary in appearance depending on locality.  It inhabits rocky areas and forms large breeding colonies, older fry help guard younger siblings.  Both sexes grow to about 10cm.

PRINCESS CICHLID (N. BRICHARDI) 3.5CM

This graceful looking cichlid is a very popular aquarium fish, also known by imaginative names such as Princess of Burundi and Fairy Cichlid.  This species has a wide distribution in the lake, face markings and/or body markings can vary in appearance depending on locality.  It inhabits rocky areas and forms large breeding colonies, older fry help guard younger siblings.  Both sexes grow to about 10cm.

PRINCESS CICHLID (N. BRICHARDI) 4CM

This graceful looking cichlid is a very popular aquarium fish, also known by imaginative names such as Princess of Burundi and Fairy Cichlid.  This species has a wide distribution in the lake, face markings and/or body markings can vary in appearance depending on locality.  It inhabits rocky areas and forms large breeding colonies, older fry help guard younger siblings.  Both sexes grow to about 10cm.

ALBINO PRINCESS CICHLID (N. BRICHARDI) 4.5CM
	This graceful looking cichlid is a very popular aquarium fish, also known by imaginative names such as Princess of Burundi and Fairy Cichlid.  It inhabits rocky areas and forms large breeding colonies, older fry help guard younger siblings.  Both sexes grow to about 10cm.  The albino form is an aquarium bred variety, the result of selective breeding, with a nice yellow-white base colour.

NEOLAMPROLOGUS CYLINDRICUS GOLD HEAD 5CM
	Both sexes of this slender species are attractively banded.  Cylindricus tends to be a solitary species, it roams rocky areas at depths of 5 to 25 metres, feeding on invertebrates.  Best kept in a large aquarium with other Tanganyikans, with plenty of rock cover.  Grows to 11cm.

NEOLAMPROLOGUS HECQUI 4.5CM
	One of the several smaller species referred to as "shell-dwellers", in the lake they use empty snail shells as refuges and breeding sites, usually in sandy-bottomed areas of the lake.  These are hardy fish with interesting behaviour, well suited to small to medium sized aquaria.  Males grow to 8cm, females remain smaller.

NEOLAMPROLOGUS LELEUPI ORANGE (GERMAN) 4.5CM
	This species occurs in various distinct geographic variations.  The orange morph is the most popular as an aquarium subject with its orange colour intensifying with age.  Leleupi tends to be a solitary species, it roams rocky areas at depths of 15 to 35 metres, feeding on invertebrates.  Best kept in a large aquarium with other Tanganyikans, with plenty of rock cover.  Grows to 11cm.

NEOLAMPROLOGUS MULTIFASCIATUS 3.5CM

One of several smaller species referred to as "shell-dwellers", in the lake they use empty snail shells as refuges and breeding sites, usually in sandy-bottomed areas of the lake.  This tiny species is easily identified by its numerous dark bars.  Best kept in a group of 6 or more in a small aquarium containing numerous empty snail shells and relatively fine gravel.  Males only grow to 4-5cm and the females are smaller.

NEOLAMPROLOGUS OLIVACEOUS 4CM
	This is an attractive "Princess-type" that displays a conspicuously striped body.  Now considered to be a variant of Neolamprologus pulcer, it inhabits rocky areas of the lakes western coastline between Cap Tembwe and M'toto.  Best kept with other similar sized Tanganyikans, with plenty of rock decor.  Grows to 8-9cm.

DAFFODIL PRINCESS CICHLID (N. PULCHER) 5CM
	The Daffodil is a popular yellow morph of N.pulcher, found in the southern regions of the lake at Kantalamba.  It inhabits rocky areas and forms large breeding colonies, older fry help guard younger siblings.  Both sexes grow to about 10cm.  This species is very similar in ease of care and appearance to the Brichardi.  They should be kept separate as they can hybridize in aquaria.

OPTHALMOTILAPIA NASUTA KIPILI GOLD 5CM
	This species occurs in many geographic variations, males at each location being a specific colour pattern.  Kipili males develop a bright yellow colour, they grow to about 20cm. Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.

OPTHALMOTILAPIA VENTRALIS 4CM
	Ventralis males are normally bright blue, but they also occur in a wide range of geographic variants.  They are best kept in a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and some sandy areas. Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.

OPTHALMOTILAPIA VENTRALIS 6CM
	Ventralis males are normally bright blue, but they also occur in a wide range of geographic variants.  They are best kept in a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and some sandy areas. Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.

OPTHALMOTILAPIA VENTRALIS KAMBWIMBA 6CM
	Ventralis males are normally bright blue, but they also occur in a wide range of geographic variants.  They are best kept in a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and some sandy areas. Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.

OPHTHALMOTILAPIA VENTRALIS KIKU ORANGE 5CM
	This species occurs in many geographic variations, males at Kiku develop a every nice orange-yellow colour.  Ventralis are best kept in a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and some sandy areas.  Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.  Grows to 12-15cm.

OPHTHALMOTILAPIA VENTRALIS ORANGE CAP 6CM
	The Orange cap males develop a vivid blue colouration, except for a gold coloured head.  They are best kept in a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and some sandy areas. Part of a group of mouthbrooders known as Featherfins, mature Ophthalmotilapia males have long ventral fins with bright "egg-dummies" at the tips.

PARACYPRICHROMIS NIGRIPINNIS BLUE NEON 5CM
	This sleek looking mouthbrooder is found near caves at depths of 10 to 40 metres.  Its colours are best appreciated when placed in an aquarium with a dark background and subdued lighting.  They prefer to be kept in a group, tankmates can be any other peaceful Tanganyikan species.  Maximum size is about 9cm.

PARACYPRICHROMIS NIGRIPINNIS BLUE NEON 6CM
	This sleek looking mouthbrooder is found near caves at depths of 10 to 40 metres.  Its colours are best appreciated when placed in an aquarium with a dark background and subdued lighting.  They prefer to be kept in a group, tankmates can be any other peaceful Tanganyikan species.  Maximum size is about 9cm.

PARACYPRICHROMIS NIGRIPINNIS ALBINO 6CM
	This sleek looking mouthbrooder is found near caves at depths of 10 to 40 metres.  Its colours are best appreciated when placed in an aquarium with a dark background and subdued lighting.  They prefer to be kept in a group, tankmates can be any other peaceful Tanganyikan species.  Maximum size is about 9cm, the albino form is an aquarium produced strain.

PETROCHROMIS TREWAVASSAE 6CM

Petrochromis are large, algae eating species, best kept in large to very large aquaria.  Provide plenty of hiding places as they can be very territorial.  The Trewavasae is one of the smaller Petrochromis, growing to about 17-20cm (the other species can be much larger).  Both sexes are very attractively patterned: black with numerous white markings.  Ensure the diet is predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.

SPATHODUS ERYTHRODON RED LINE KIGOMA 4CM

SPATHODUS MARLIERI 6CM

TROPHEUS BULU POINT (T.SP.BLACK) 3CM

TROPHEUS BULU POINT (T.SP.BLACK) GERMAN 4.5CM

TROPHEUS CHIPIMBI (T.SP. RED) 5CM

TROPHEUS DUBOISI MASWA 3CM

Juvenile Duboisi are among the most striking of aquarium fish: jet black with bold white spots.  Like many Tanganyikans, they occur in various colour forms.  Adults of the Maswa type are black with a bluish head and a wide yellow-white band.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of at least 6 Duboisi should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS GOLDEN MOLIRO (T.SP.RED) 3.5CM

TROPHEUS ILANGI (T.MOORI) 5CM

TROPHEUS KAISER 1 (T. IKOLA) 3CM
	A very wide yellow band identifies this variant from near Ikola.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of a least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS KAISER 1 (T.IKOLA) 4CM
	A very wide yellow band identifies this variant from near Ikola.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of a least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS MOLIRO (T.SPECIES RED) 3CM
	An attractive red form found at Moliro.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of at least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS MOLIRO (T.SP. RED) 4CM
	An attractive red form found at Moliro.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of at least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS MOLIRO (T.SPECIES RED) 5CM
	An attractive red form found at Moliro.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of at least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS MOLIRO (T.SPECIES RED) 10CM
	An attractive red form found at Moliro.  Tropheus are a very popular group of algae grazing cichlids with diverse colour patterns.  They prefer a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork, and should be fed predominantly vegetable based (green) foods.  A group of at least 8 specimens should be kept to minimize aggression between individuals.

TROPHEUS MURAGO (T.MOORII) 4.5CM