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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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These substrates are often cemented by calcite and may include stones with stromatolite growth, as well as accumulations of bivalve shells (Pleiodon spekii) that provide numerous refuges and breeding sites.
The species occurs at depths from 2 to 30 m, most commonly between 7 and 15 m.
It differs in habitat preference from the very similar Neolamprologus chitamwebwai, which inhabits areas with very large boulders and steep slopes.
Found from near the Burundi–Tanzania border in the north to Halembe in the south.
In larger aquaria the species can be maintained in a group setting and is preferably kept in small groups.
Hard, alkaline and well-oxygenated water is recommended.
Individuals forage either directly on the substrate, ingesting sediment, or hover 10–50 cm above the bottom while taking plankton.
Larger and older individuals tend to remain farther from the substrate and are more dependent on plankton, while juveniles stay within 5 cm of the bottom.
Forms groups occupying small contiguous territories of about 1 m², typically containing two or three adults, several subadults and juveniles.
Reproductive output is low compared to colonial Princes species, with usually only about 10–20 fry.
Young fish remain very close to the substrate and retreat quickly into cover.
It differs from N. chitamwebwai by having a deeper and generally shorter body, as well as more pronounced markings on the dorsal and caudal fins, and by occupying a different habitat.
Both N. walteri and N. chitamwebwai differ from N. falcicula by the presence of a visible pattern on the dorsal fin.
Although Ad Konings has suggested that N. walteri and N. chitamwebwai may represent habitat variants of N. falcicula, they are generally regarded as distinct species based on consistent morphological differences and differences in behaviour and ecology.
The species often occurs together with colonial Princes such as N. brichardi, which have a much higher reproductive rate, as well as with N. savoryi, another low-reproduction species.
Neolamprologus walteri is most common around Kigoma, with records from Cape Bangwe, Maswa, Cape Kabogo and Karago; populations near Mkuyu Point and Ifala have been identified as N. falcicula by some authors, but are considered by others to represent N. walteri.
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