tanganyika.si

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Chalinochromis sp. 'ndobhoi' Bulu Point.jpg Chalinochromis sp. 'ndobhoi' Karilani Island.jpg
Previous pageChalinochromis sp. 'ndobhoi' Karilani Island
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini / Chalinochromis
Biotope: Rocky and intermediate habitats, most commonly at depths of 5–15 m.
Geographic distribution: Lake Tanganyika (Tanzania), from Magambo to Miyako Point.
Typical adult size: Up to 13 cm total length in the lake; in aquaria can reach up to 16 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are always larger than females.
Recommended aquarium size: 150 L (pair).
Aquarium setup: Provide extensive rockwork with many passages and hiding places. Due to strong intraspecific aggression, keep as a pair in smaller tanks, while groups require a much larger aquarium (about 500 L or more). A practical approach is to start with a group of juveniles and remove extra individuals once a stable pair forms.
Diet: Feeds on sponges and invertebrates picked from aufwuchs on rocks, and may also take other small invertebrates and some algae. In aquaria it accepts most foods; offer quality frozen/live options such as krill and mysis.
Breeding: Pair-forming cave spawner. Spawning occurs inside caves; parents defend large broods (reported over 150 juveniles). When fry reach about 1 cm, the parents move them out of the cave into the open. Early fry behave “Julidochromis-like” (staying close to rocks), later forming a loose “cloud” typical of larger lamprologines. Parents guard the brood for a period and then leave it.
Aggression: Highly aggressive toward conspecifics; also becomes aggressive toward other species during breeding.
Special notes: Treated on tanganyika.si as a separate species, Chalinochromis sp. 'ndobhoi'. Juveniles show two horizontal body lines which, in adults, become broken/dashed; typical C. brichardi forms are plain without such body striping.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Benoit Jonas
Photo: © Benoit Jonas
Photo: © Stephane le Gall
Photo: © Eric Dasmien
Photo: © Eric Dasmien
Photo: © Sale Sesetdevet
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© tanganyika.si