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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Cyprichromis pavo 'Moliro'.jpg Cyprichromis pavo 'Molwe'.jpg Cyprichromis pavo 'Msalaba'.jpg Cyprichromis pavo 'Mupapa'.jpg Cyprichromis pavo 'Mvuna Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCyprichromis pavo 'Msalaba'
Tribe / Genus: Cyprichromini / Cyprichromis
Type locality: Near Tembwe, approximately 40 km south of Moba, Lake Tanganyika, DR Congo
Biotope: Open water along deep rocky shores at depths of approximately 25–45 m. Occurs in large schools, often numbering hundreds or thousands of individuals. In mixed Cyprichromis schools, Cyprichromis pavo typically occupies the lower part of the shoal. Frequently found together with Cyprichromis leptosoma, C. sp. 'leptosoma jumbo', Paracyprichromis nigripinnis and P. brieni.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Occurs in the southern half of the lake. On the western shore (DR Congo) found south of Kanoni, while on the eastern shore (Tanzania) found south of Luagala Point. Present along the entire Zambian shoreline. In the Mahale Mountains area in Tanzania, between Sibwesa and Luagala Point, it occurs sympatrically with the otherwise northern species Cyprichromis microlepidotus.
Typical adult size: Males reach up to approximately 12 cm total length. Females are only slightly smaller, around 11 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are slightly larger and more colourful than females. Females are beige to light brown. Males exhibit pronounced polychromatism.
Recommended aquarium size: Minimum 350 L
Aquarium setup: Provide ample open swimming space with only a limited number of rocks. Substrate choice is not critical, as the species does not feed or spawn on the bottom. Best kept in schools of at least 10 individuals. Prefers a relatively dim aquarium with subdued lighting, reflecting its deep-water habitat.
Diet: Carnivorous planktivore. Feeds primarily on zooplankton in the wild, occasionally supplemented by small invertebrates when plankton availability is low.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding behaviour differs from most other Cyprichromis species. Males do not maintain a three-dimensional territory in open water, but instead defend a territory adjacent to a vertical rock surface. The male lures a female away from the shoal to this site, where spawning occurs on or near the rock. Eggs are fertilised and immediately collected by the female. Clutch size is typically 5–12 eggs. Incubation lasts approximately four weeks.
Aggression: Relatively peaceful species, suitable for community aquaria with various sand-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlids.
Special notes: Cyprichromis pavo differs from C. microlepidotus by its southern distribution, longer ventral fins, and distinct breeding behaviour.

Despite its wide distribution, no strongly distinct geographical variants are known. A slight variation is observed in northern Tanzanian populations, where males may show a yellowish dorsal fin, while males from most other populations have a bluish dorsal fin.

Males are polychromatic; however, unlike most other Cyprichromis species, it is the anal fin (rather than the caudal fin) that may be yellow or blue. Females are uniformly beige to light brown.

A key diagnostic feature of C. pavo is the presence of a higher number of smaller scales on the flank compared to other Cyprichromis species.

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