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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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It is frequently encountered swimming in loose hunting groups about one meter above the substrate, but it has also been recorded at depths of up to 250 meters.
Because of its scale-eating behavior and aggression, it is recommended to keep only a single compatible pair by themselves, or to monitor tankmates very closely during acclimatization.
Stomach-content analyses have revealed stacked rows of scales, and occasional fish skin and fry have also been reported. Large individuals may attack large-bodied cichlids such as Boulengerochromis microlepis, while smaller individuals probably target smaller sand-dwelling cichlids.
Spawning takes place on sand or rock, after which the female picks up the eggs. Clutches consist of roughly 200–300 very small eggs.
After about nine days the fry are released and guarded by both parents. Both male and female collect and defend the fry for at least six weeks.
It has a higher number of dorsal-fin spines than Perissodus eccentricus, a much more slender body than P. straeleni, fewer oral teeth than P. multidentatus and P. elaviae, and more anal-fin rays than P. elaviae.
Possibly the most common scale-eater in Lake Tanganyika and frequently observed on dives over sandy bottoms throughout the lake. Non-breeding individuals often show a narrow mid-lateral stripe ending at a black spot on the caudal peduncle.
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