Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Chalinochromis cyanophleps 'Lupita Island'.jpg Cunningtonia longiventralis 'Lupita Island'.jpg Cyathopharynx sp. 'neon streak' Lupita Island.jpg Cyphotilapia gibberosa 'Lupita Island'.jpg Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Lupita Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCyathopharynx sp. 'neon streak' Lupita Island<br><font color=gray>Cyathopharynx foae 'Lupita Island'</font>
Tribe / Genus: Ectodini / Cyathopharynx
Biotope: Intermediate habitat close to rocky areas; typically encountered at depths between 5 and 25 m.
Geographic distribution: Southern Lake Tanganyika. In Tanzania found between Isonga and Mtego Bay, and also south of Samazi to the Kalambo River. Present along the entire Zambian shore and in southern DR Congo, where it is known at least as far north as Cape Tembwe.
Typical adult size: Males up to ~22 cm TL; females noticeably smaller, usually 12–15 cm TL.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females and develop longer, more elaborate fins, particularly elongated pelvic fins extending well beyond the anal fin.
Recommended aquarium size: Minimum 500 L; larger aquaria (≈1000 L) recommended to allow natural behaviour.
Aquarium setup: A demanding species requiring excellent and stable water quality. A large area of fine sand is essential for the construction of large, volcano-shaped breeding bowers. Rocks are optional but may help define territories. This species should be the dominant fish in the aquarium and must not be kept with aggressive or fin-nipping cichlids (e.g. Tropheus). Suitable tankmates include peaceful sand-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlids from the tribes Ectodini, Eretmodini, and Cyprichromini. Lighting should not be strictly vertical; diffuse or slightly lateral light enhances the display coloration of males.
Diet: Herbivorous. In nature feeds mainly on diatoms and unicellular algae from the aufwuchs. In the aquarium a plant-rich diet is essential due to the long and sensitive digestive tract.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males build large sand bowers, sometimes on top of flat rocks. Females may spawn with several males by visiting multiple bowers. Typical brood size ranges from 40 to 50 fry.
Aggression: Males can be highly territorial and aggressive when defending their bower, especially during the breeding period.
Special notes: Cyathopharynx sp. 'neon streak' is one of several dark Cyathopharynx forms often grouped under Cyathopharynx foae by some authors. The name C. foae originates from Ectodus foae (Vaillant, 1899), described without a type locality and now regarded as a species inquirenda. Because of this taxonomic uncertainty, African Diving treats the dark forms as separate, geographically defined entities. This form occurs in many geographical colour variants but is consistently characterised by a speckled upper flank.

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Photo: © Enea Parimbelli
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