Albertville (Kalemie), Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Tanganyika
Biotope
Deepwater habitats above muddy bottoms along the lake shores.
Geographic distribution
Lake-wide distribution in Lake Tanganyika, recorded from numerous localities
around the entire lake basin.
Typical adult size
At least 26.2 cm standard length (approximately 29 cm total length).
Recommended aquarium size
Large aquaria of at least 500 liters are suggested, preferably substantially larger,
based on body size and requirements inferred from related Perissodini species.
Aquarium setup
Clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate hardness and clearly alkaline reaction.
Large open swimming space is required.
Diet
Primarily microphagous and zooplanktivorous; stomach contents contained copepods.
Scales have also been found in the gut, indicating at least occasional lepidophagy.
Breeding
Breeding behavior has not been observed. Presumed biparental mouthbrooder based
on related genera. A large female contained approximately 600 eggs of about
2.5 mm diameter in the ovaries.
Aggression
Unknown; likely comparable to other Perissodini species.
Special notes
Monotypic genus. Taxonomic placement and feeding mode have been controversial,
with disagreement between Poll and Liem & Stewart regarding scale-eating behavior
and generic relationships.
Photo gallery