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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Julidochromis sp. 'ornatus kapampa' Kapampa.jpg Julidochromis sp. 'ornatus kapampa' Kazia.jpg Julidochromis sp. 'ornatus kapampa' Nkorosha.jpg
Previous pageNext pageJulidochromis sp. 'ornatus kapampa' Kazia
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini / Julidochromis
Geographic distribution: Known from the western coast of Lake Tanganyika, around Kapampa, including Nkorosha to the north and Kazia to the south. This distribution may be extended according to the status which would be given to the numerous populations found along the western Congolese coast.
Typical adult size: 7–8 cm total length
Sexual dimorphism: No clear sexual dichromatism. Males are usually slightly larger than females.
Recommended aquarium size: 200–300 liters for a group; established pairs may be kept in smaller aquaria
Aquarium setup: Rocky to intermediate setup with fine sand substrate and numerous crevices and shelters. Territories are defended intensely, and visual barriers are essential.
Diet: Invertebrate feeder. Small animals are picked from algal cover and rock crevices. Accepts a wide range of aquarium foods, including flakes, pellets, and small crustaceans.
Breeding: Breeding occurs throughout the year. Monogamous pairs are typical, though polygyny may occur occasionally. Clutch size varies from a few eggs to several dozens. Older juveniles may remain temporarily within the parental territory as satellites.
Aggression: High intraspecific aggression. Territorial and intolerant toward similar-sized lamprologines unless sufficient space and structure are provided.
Special notes: Apart from its geographical origin on the central Congolese coast, no reliable diagnostic features have been identified to date. Morphologically, this species appears indistinguishable from Julidochromis ornatus from Zambia or Julidochromis transcriptus from the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Two phenotypes are described: an “ornatoid” form with more irregular longitudinal stripes, and a “transcriptoid” form with a less checkered melanic pattern. Color pattern and the amount of yellow pigmentation are strongly influenced by environment and light conditions.

Many authors recognize numerous ornatus–transcriptus-like populations around the lake, but clear species boundaries remain unresolved. Pending further research, the Kapampa population — including nearby localities such as Nkorosha to the north and Kazia to the south — is treated here as a distinct, undescribed species.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Benoit Jonas
Photo: © Benoit Jonas
Photo: © Eric Dasmien
Photo: © Eric Dasmien
Photo: © Eric Dasmien
Photo: © Patrick Tawil
Photo: © Patrick Tawil
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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