Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Facebook
Telmatochromis vittatus 'Kipili'.jpg Tropheus sp. 'kipili' Kipili.jpg Xenochromis hecqui 'Kipili'.jpg Xenotilapia boulengeri 'Kipili'.jpg Xenotilapia flavipinnis 'Kipili'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageXenochromis hecqui 'Kipili'
Tribe / Genus Perissodini / Xenochromis
Type locality 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

Photo: © Ad Konings
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