Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Facebook
Julidochromis marksmithi 'Isaba Point'.jpg Neolamprologus brichardi 'Isaba Point'.jpg Spathodus sp. 'erythrodon isaba' Isaba Point.jpg Tropheus sp. 'kipili' Isaba Point.jpg
Previous pageNext pageSpathodus sp. 'erythrodon isaba' Isaba Point
Tribe / Genus: Eretmodini / Spathodus
Biotope: Very shallow, wave-exposed rocky habitat with high oxygenation, rarely deeper than three meters.
Occupies rocky and sediment-rich areas with patches of sand and natural debris such as decaying reeds and leaves.
Geographic distribution: Known only from Isaba Point, located approximately 10 km north of the Kipili Archipelago on the Tanzanian shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Typical adult size: Small goby cichlid; adult size comparable to other Spathodus erythrodon-like species.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is weak; males and females are similar in coloration and body shape.
Diet: Omnivorous aufwuchs feeder.
Feeds on algae and small invertebrates scraped or picked from rocks and sediment-rich substrates.
Breeding: Biparental mouthbrooder, typical of goby cichlids.
The female broods eggs during the first 10–15 days, after which the male takes over brooding of the hatched larvae for a further 10–15 days.
Aggression: Territorial within the species, typically occurring in pairs.
Coexists locally with Eretmodus cyanostictus without clear spatial segregation.
Special notes: A potentially distinct, cryptic Spathodus erythrodon-like species discovered in 2008.
Differs from sympatric Eretmodus cyanostictus by elongated blue dots on head and trunk, yellowish vertical bars extending across the flank, a slightly concave snout, and a more terminal mouth.
Lacks a black dorsal fin spot and blue dorsal submargin, separating it from S. erythrodon-like populations found in the Cape Tembwe–Moba range (DR Congo) and the Isonga–Ikola range (Tanzania).
Considered part of a broader complex of S. erythrodon-like forms showing strong phylogeographic structure across Lake Tanganyika.

Photo gallery

Photo: © African Diving Ltd
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map Photo Credits
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram Support this site
© tanganyika.si