[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Cichlids – Lake Tanganyika cichlids

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Cichlids

Lake Tanganyika cichlids

Moorii (Tropheus moorii)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, restricted to Lake Tanganyika, where it occurs in the southern part of the lake.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and vegetable matter, including algae.
• WATER: Temperature 72–81°F (22–27°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Somewhat territorial.

These fish are similar in their habits to the mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi, feeding on algae growing on rocks around the lake’s perimeter. The many different morphs, which vary widely in appearance, are often named after the area of the lake in which they occur. Moorii are lively fish and thus may prove disruptive in a community tank. Difficult to sex, they are maternal mouth-brooders.

• Striped Moorii This morph is from the southwestern coast of Lake Tanganyika. As with all Moorii, its tank must include rockwork.
• Yellow-Banded Moorii It is not possible to rely on the coloration of these Moorii to determine the sexes, because the banded patterning is very variable.

Yellow-Finned Xenotilapia (Xenotilapia flavipinnis)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, restricted to the northern part of Lake Tanganyika.
• SIZE: 3 in (7.5 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Relatively peaceful.

The distinctive yellow markings on the fins of these large-eyed cichlids are more pronounced in males. Yellow-Finned Xenotilapias should be kept in groups, although disagreements may arise during the spawning period. The female collects and cares for the eggs in her mouth, with the male often sharing the mouth-brooding duties. These fish feed close to the substrate. Their aquarium should have little decor and a sandy base.

Striped Julie (Julidochromis regani)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, around the rocky shoreline of Lake Tanganyika.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial when breeding.

The chocolate-colored body of the Striped Julie has pale yellow stripes along its length, and there is often some blue on the lower fins. A tank for this relatively large cichlid needs a sandy base; there should be plenty of rocky areas and caves where the fish can hide. Sexing is difficult, but females swell noticeably with eggs prior to spawning, which occurs in caves. The eggs, which number up to 300, are guarded in the cave by both adults.

Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, in Lake Tanganyika, where it occurs in slightly deeper water away from the shoreline.
• SIZE: 15 in (35 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory

Striped patterning and a distinctive hump on the forehead help to distinguish this cichlid, male fish generally have a larger hump. Its large size and predatory nature mean that the Frontosa should not be mixed with smaller companions. The female lays about 50 eggs in a cave and then incubates them in her mouth. At first, she also broods her young in a similar way at night. The male must be removed after spawning to prevent him from devouring the eggs and offspring.

WATCHFUL PARENTS

The care that adult cichlids lavish on their offspring frequently extends well beyond the hatching period. Like the Giant Tanganyika Cichlids (Boulengerochromis microlepis) shown below, the family swims together, and the watchful adults drive off potential predators. They warn their young of approaching danger by rippling their bodies in a distinctive way— a behavior known as jolting—or by flashing their brightly colored pelvic fins at their offspring. Should any of the fry lag behind, one of the parents may try to bring them back to the group, sometimes even retrieving them in the mouth. Aquarium studies suggest that behavior of this type is acquired rather than instinctive; indeed, where adult cichlids are faced with no risk of brood predation, their parental instincts decline over several generations. The addition of nonaggressive but active companions (often described as “dither fish”) to the tank will cause the adults to become more protective toward their offspring again.

Brichardi (Neolamprologus brichardi)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, restricted to the rocky shoreline of Lake Tanganyika.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets, live foods, and vegetable matter.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Social and peaceful.

Extended rays on the caudal fin give these elegant cichlids a lyre-tailed appearance; this feature is most pronounced in males. Unlike many cichlids, this species shoals readily. It is safe to keep a pair with their offspring. They spawn several times in succession, and the older fry may help the adults to guard their younger siblings.

Signatus (Lamprologus signatus)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, restricted to deeper waters in the central part of Lake Tanganyika.
• SIZE: 2 1⁄2 in (5.5 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The dark background color of this fish is interrupted by lighter vertical bands, which are more pronounced in the male. Adult females are about 1 in (2.5 cm) smaller than males. This enables them to occupy the empty shells of freshwater snails, in which they can lay their eggs in relative safety. Keep a single male in the company of several females and provide shells in the tank, allowing two or more per female. Spare shells may be used as retreats by newly hatched fry. Avoid mixing these bottom dwellers with other fish that frequent the lower levels of the tank; rainbowfish (see pp.176–179) are suitable companions. Small weekly water changes are advisable for all Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

Leleupi (Neolamprologus leleupi)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, found on both the western and eastern sides of Lake Tanganyika.
• SIZE: 4 1⁄4 in (11 cm).
• DIET: Cichlid diets and live foods, such as shrimp.
• WATER: Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Intolerant of its own kind.

The color of this fish ranges from lemon through to rich yellow, with the northwestern race, N. l. melas, being a burnished brown. Carotenerich foods will help to maintain the color. The female, which has shorter pelvic fins than the male, spawns on the roof of a cave. While she lays up to 150 eggs, the male fiercely defends the entrance to the nesting cave. If the young Lelupis are not removed before they are six weeks old, they are likely to be eaten by their parents.