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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Bathybates graueri (unknown locality)
Tribe / Genus: Bathybatini / Bathybates
Type locality: Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania.
Biotope: Sandy or muddy substrates from shallow water down to depths of at least 160 m. Although present across a wide depth range, this species primarily hunts close to the bottom and only rarely in open pelagic water.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, with a lake-wide distribution in suitable habitats.
Typical adult size: Up to about 30.5 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Adult males can be distinguished by pronounced black markings on the body and a large yellow egg-spot on the anal fin. Females lack the strong black markings and show only faint or rudimentary egg-spots.
Recommended aquarium size: 600 L (minimum)
Aquarium setup: Aquarium setup should be similar to that used for Bathybates ferox.
Use a long aquarium (at least ~160 cm) with a fine sand substrate. Rocks are optional and, if used, must be smooth and limited in number to avoid injury, especially to the eyes.
Best kept alone in a species-only aquarium, as it does not tolerate aggressive tankmates well.
Diet: Piscivorous. Feeds mainly on sand-dwelling cichlids, especially members of the Ectodini (e.g. Xenotilapia). It may also prey opportunistically on Lake Tanganyika clupeids.
Breeding: Breeding has not been observed in nature or in aquaria. However, it is almost certainly a maternal mouthbrooder, with reproductive behaviour presumed to be similar to other species of Bathybates.
Aggression: Generally peaceful toward similarly sized fishes, but smaller species will be preyed upon and must not be kept with it.
Special notes: A very rare species in the aquarium hobby, with only occasional specimens imported.
Distinguished from other Bathybates species by its characteristic colour pattern (two black spots on the gill cover, followed by vertical bands and horizontal stripes) and by its more compact body compared to elongated congeners such as B. fasciatus or B. hornii.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Jiten Vaitha
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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