Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Telmatochromis sp. 'dhonti yellow' Kitoke
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini / Telmatochromis
Biotope: Found on open sandy substrate with isolated medium-sized rocks. Pairs most often defend a burrow under a rock that lies isolated on open sand. Observed at depths deeper than 15 meters.
Geographic distribution: Recorded from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including localities such as Kitoke and Kiliza, where it has been observed together with Telmatochromis dhonti at the same sites.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 6 cm total length, females up to about 5 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are dark brown to black, while females are lemon yellow. The size difference between the sexes is less pronounced than in T. dhonti.
The spot at the base of the pectoral fin is white in males and yellow in females.
Breeding: A monogamous breeder. Pairs have been observed defending a burrow under a rock; pairs defending free-swimming fry have not yet been encountered.
Special notes: Clearly a member of the genus Telmatochromis, distinguished from other lamprologines by tricuspid teeth in the inner tooth rows.
It is more difficult to distinguish from T. dhonti, but differs in habitat preference, being found deeper, and in pectoral-fin spot coloration. Males lack the orange pectoral-fin spot typical of T. dhonti.
The species has been observed at the same localities as T. dhonti, but occupying different depth zones.

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