Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Petrochromis macrognathus 'Chituta Bay'.jpg

Reganochromis calliurus 'Chituta Bay'.jpg

Telmatochromis vittatus 'Chituta Bay'.jpg

Tribe / Genus:	Limnochromini / Reganochromis
Type locality:	Kalambo, Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope:	Over sandy bottom at depths of 15–100 m; also reported living over muddy bottoms.
Geographic distribution:	Common throughout the lake but never found in great numbers.
Typical adult size:	Maximum total length about 15 cm; females remain smaller than males and have been reported around 12 cm.
Sexual dimorphism:	Females remain smaller than males; otherwise no difference between the sexes.
Recommended aquarium size:	240 L
Aquarium setup:	Fine sand on the bottom with a few larger rocks. Provide narrow, dark rocky caves for spawning.
Diet:	Carnivorous; feeds on various invertebrates, including shrimps and tiny crabs, and also small fishes. In the aquarium, offer a variety of live and frozen foods.
Breeding:	Mouthbrooder; both male and female carry the brood. Spawning takes place in a narrow, dark cave among rocks; in captivity they do not dig tunnels or large pits. Male and female enter the cave alternately while releasing eggs and milt; after about an hour the female carries all eggs in her mouth, and they are transferred to the male the following day. During the first week, eggs and larvae are transferred regularly between the parents; during the second week it is mostly the male who broods the larvae and fry. Fry are released for the first time after 19 days and are taken back into the mouth for about another 16 days. Broods can number up to 60 fry; eggs are about 2.5 mm.
Aggression:	Fairly peaceful; occasionally only slightly aggressive within its own species.
Special notes:	Can be kept as a pair or in small groups together with other peaceful Tanganyika cichlids. Although it may live over a mud floor, it has not been observed digging for food in the aquarium.