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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Cunningtonia longiventralis 'Cape Kachese'.jpg Cunningtonia longiventralis 'Cape Nangu'.jpg Cunningtonia longiventralis 'Isanga Bay'.jpg Cunningtonia longiventralis 'Kipili'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCunningtonia longiventralis 'Cape Nangu'
Tribe / Genus: Ectodini / Cunningtonia
Type locality: Niamkolo, Lake Tanganyika, Zambia
Biotope: Intermediate habitat, usually between rocky and sandy areas, typically at depths of about 5–20 m.
Geographic distribution: Southern half of Lake Tanganyika, extending northward along the Congolese coast to the Kabimba area; northernmost records on the eastern shore reach the Sibwesa region.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 14–16 cm total length; females usually up to about 11–12 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and develop stronger breeding coloration (blue to brown depending on locality). Females are smaller, silvery to light grey, often with a dark spot in the dorsal fin.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 400 L (minimum length about 150 cm).
Aquarium setup: Fine sand substrate is essential. Sandy areas should be broken up with several larger rocks or stones, which males use as reference points for building bowers. Best kept with a single adult male and several females, together with other peaceful Tanganyikan cichlids.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on diatoms and fine algae scraped from aufwuchs. In the aquarium it requires a strict vegetable-based diet (high-quality green flakes); animal foods should be avoided or offered only very sparingly.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males construct crescent-shaped sand-scrape bowers close to rocks. Spawning takes place in the bower; the female collects the eggs and incubates them in her mouth for roughly three weeks. No post-release parental care has been observed.
Aggression: Moderately aggressive. Territorial males defend their bower but are generally compatible with other non-aggressive Tanganyikan cichlids.
Special notes: A specialized algivore with an exceptionally long intestine, similar in feeding strategy to Petrochromis. Sometimes confused in the past with small Cyathopharynx species. Several geographical variants are known, mainly differing in male breeding coloration.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
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