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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Trematocara kufferathi (preserved specimens)
Tribe / Genus: Trematocarini / Trematocara
Type locality: In front of Karema, Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope: Benthopelagic deep-water habitat in Lake Tanganyika, occurring in the profundal zone over rocky or sandy substrates, typically at depths of approximately 80–100 m where light penetration is minimal.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The type series originates from waters off Karema, Tanzania, with additional records from deeper areas of the lake, including Zambian waters.
Typical adult size: Up to approximately 6.8 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: No clear sexual dimorphism has been documented.
Diet: Likely feeds on small invertebrates and planktonic organisms in the deep-water zone, consistent with other members of the genus Trematocara.
Breeding: Poorly documented. Like other species of Trematocara, it is assumed to be a maternal mouthbrooder, with females incubating eggs and early fry in the buccal cavity.
Special notes: Described by Max Poll in 1948 based on material collected during the Belgian Hydrobiological Mission to Lake Tanganyika. The species is characterized by an elongated body, very large eyes, and hypertrophied sensory head pores, adaptations typical of deep-water Tanganyikan cichlids.

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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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