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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Bathybates hornii 'Kipili'
Tribe / Genus: Bathybatini / Bathybates
Type locality: Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania.
Biotope: Sandy or muddy substrates at depths of roughly 5–100 m. Based on limited sampling, the species likely also inhabits deeper waters.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Most records originate from the eastern shoreline, from southern Burundi to southern Tanzania, with only isolated records from the western shore. Although likely capable of wide dispersal, the species appears to be rare and unevenly distributed.
Typical adult size: Up to about 27.2 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Adult males show distinct black body markings and possess yellow egg-spots on the anal fin. In females these markings and egg-spots are much weaker or barely visible.
Aquarium setup: Presumed similar to other Bathybates species.
A very large aquarium with a minimum length of about 160 cm is required.
Use only a fine sand substrate; rocks, if used at all, must be smooth and carefully placed to prevent fish from becoming trapped.
Excellent water quality with efficient filtration and regular water changes is essential.
Diet: Piscivorous. Stomach content examinations revealed remains of fishes, although prey species could not be identified.
Breeding: Breeding has not been observed. However, it is almost certainly a maternal mouthbrooder, as is typical for the genus Bathybates.
Special notes: Distinguished from all other Bathybates species by its colour pattern of vertical black bands, which break up into spots toward the posterior part of the body.

A very rare species, with extremely few specimens collected despite extensive surveys. It is unlikely to appear in the aquarium hobby in the foreseeable future.

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