Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Benthochromis melanoides (unknown locality)

Tribe / Genus:	Benthochromini / Benthochromis
Type locality:	5 miles east of Albertville (Kalemie), Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope:	Moderately deep to very deep water, mostly between 70 and 100 m depth, above rocky substrates. The species is known to inhabit dimly lit deep habitats and often shares its biotope with the other two congeners, Benthochromis horii and Benthochromis tricoti.
Geographic distribution:	Southern Lake Tanganyika. Confirmed records from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kalemie, Tembwe) and Zambia (Nsumbu Bay, Mutondwe Island, Kalambo Lodge). Presence in the northern part of the lake is currently unconfirmed.
Typical adult size:	Up to approximately 17 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:	Weakly expressed. Females are silvery-grey and lack horizontal stripes. Males are also without horizontal stripes and are generally greyish, but show a characteristic dark blotch on the nape surrounded by a silvery sheen, often preceded by a brighter reflective marking. Smaller shimmering spots may be present on the upper flank and fins.
Recommended aquarium size:	Minimum 500 L; aquarium length at least 150 cm and height at least 60 cm for a pair or a harem-type setup.
Aquarium setup:	A large, calm aquarium with subdued lighting, reflecting its deep-water origin. Fine sand substrate with at least one large, flat-topped stone that may be used as a spawning site. Can be kept as a pair or, in larger aquaria, in small groups including several males and females, as male–male aggression is significantly lower than in B. horii. Suitable tankmates are peaceful sand-dwelling cichlids such as Xenotilapia, Ectodus, or Enantiopus.
Diet:	Carnivorous planktivore. In nature feeds mainly on zooplankton, especially copepods. In aquaria accepts small live and frozen foods such as Cyclops, Daphnia, and Artemia.
Breeding:	Breeding has not been observed in the wild. Successful spawning has been reported in aquaria. The breeding behavior closely resembles that of B. horii, with very small clutches; the maximum number of eggs reported in captivity is eight. Females are known to release fry gradually, sometimes over several weeks, indicating prolonged mouthbrooding.
Aggression:	Generally peaceful and less aggressive than B. horii. Not suitable for housing with aggressive or boisterous species.
Special notes:	Often overlooked and historically confused with subdominant males or females of Benthochromis horii when first imported into aquaria. Easily distinguished from its congeners by the complete absence of horizontal stripes in males. Compared to B. horii, it also shows morphological differences, including a more upturned mouth and relatively larger eyes. Still very rare in the aquarium hobby, but notable for its shimmering markings and comparatively low intraspecific aggression.