Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Ophthalmotilapia sp. 'whitecap' Longola.jpg

Petrochromis sp. 'longola red fin' Longola.jpg

Petrochromis sp. 'longola red fin' Longola<br><font color=gray>Petrochromis sp. 'longnose red longola' Longola</font>

Tribe / Genus:	Tropheini / Petrochromis
Geographic distribution:	Petrochromis sp. 'longola red fin' is found in the Longola area on the western coast of Lake Tanganyika. There are no data confirming its presence north or south of Longola.
Typical adult size:	Males reach at least 18 cm total length in imported specimens. Females are approximately 20% smaller.
Sexual dimorphism:	Sexually active males are significantly more intensely coloured than females, showing a brilliant blue ground colour with deep blood-red markings on the flanks and unpaired fins. Females also develop red coloration, but much less intensely than males.
Recommended aquarium size:	Although smaller individuals may be kept in a 500 liter aquarium, a minimum size of 800 liters is preferable.
Aquarium setup:	A large aquarium with extensive rockwork providing grazing surfaces and territorial structure. Hard, alkaline water (around pH 8.2) with very strong filtration is required. Water temperature should be maintained between 23–26 °C.
Diet:	A highly specialized herbivore feeding on the algal layer covering rocks. In aquaria, the diet should consist mainly of vegetable-based foods, especially spirulina-rich flakes and pellets. Due to the long intestine, high-protein foods must be given only very sparingly. Appetite is usually high, although some individuals may eat frugally and lose condition.
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder. The clutch usually comprises around 15 eggs. After spawning, the female leaves the male’s territory and broods independently. As in other members of the genus, and unlike Tropheus, the male bears true ocelli on the anal fin near the genital region, which attract the female during spawning and maximize fertilization.
Aggression:	Highly aggressive, especially toward conspecifics, with behaviour comparable to other large and specialized Petrochromis species.
Special notes:	Petrochromis sp. 'longola red fin' belongs to a specialized group of Petrochromis with broad dental pads and an elongated, down-turned snout reminiscent of Petrochromis macrognathus, although the mouth may nearly close at the tip and the ascending process of the premaxilla is less pronounced. Ad Konings regards this taxon as a variant of Petrochromis polyodon. According to African Diving, however, P. sp. 'longola red fin' is not a P. polyodon-like species and even shares habitat with true P. polyodon-like species occurring in southern Congo. The name Petrochromis sp. 'longnose red longola' is used for this species by cichlidae.com.