|
|
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
The range in northern DR Congo is marked as far north as the Kavimvira River; however, according to Ad Konings, populations formerly present in this area are likely extinct.
On the eastern shore, the species is found along the Burundian coastline between Rumonge and Gitaza, with an additional record from further north at Kabezi.
Water chemistry is of critical importance. The pH must be above 7.5 (approximately 7.5 to 9.5). Temperature should be kept consistently between 24 and 27°C and must never exceed 29°C, as this can be fatal. Higher temperatures increase oxygen demand while simultaneously reducing dissolved oxygen levels. In Lake Tanganyika, the upper 40 m of water is very clear and rich in oxygen; therefore, the aquarium should also be well oxygenated using air pumps, filter outlets directed toward the surface, or circulation pumps that enhance surface agitation.
Tropheus are highly sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The filtration system must therefore be powerful and biologically mature. Ammonia and nitrite cause immediate poisoning, while elevated nitrate levels lead to a gradual deterioration of health. Regular weekly water changes of 30–50% are essential, and replacement water should also be well oxygenated.
It is practically impossible to recreate the natural environment of Tropheus in an aquarium, as this would require an extremely large system. In the wild, most adult Tropheus are territorial; similarly, in the aquarium one or a few territorial males occupy defined areas, leaving limited space for other males and females. Because food availability in the aquarium is higher than in nature, non-territorial individuals tend to suppress the need to establish separate feeding territories.
Tropheus are best maintained in relatively large groups of approximately 15 to 25 individuals. In such groups, there may be several males, but there should be at least three to four females per male. Typically, only one male becomes dominant, occupies a territory, and is the only individual that spawns.
In community aquaria, somewhat smaller groups may also be kept. Suitable tank mates include other herbivorous Tanganyikan cichlids, such as smaller Petrochromis species, goby cichlids (Eretmodus, Tanganicodus, and Spathodus)...
Different geographic variants of the same Tropheus species should never be kept together due to the high risk of hybridization. Different Tropheus species may be kept together, preferably those that naturally occur at the same locations. For example, T. duboisi can generally be housed with other Tropheus species, although its lower aggressiveness often makes a species-only aquarium the better choice.
When establishing a group, it is best to introduce a larger number of juveniles so territories develop gradually as the fish grow. Introducing adults often results in extremely violent territorial conflicts. Adding Tropheus to an already established group with defined territories is also very difficult.
High-protein foods must be strictly avoided, as they can be lethal. Tropheus have a very long digestive tract adapted to a low-protein diet, and excessive protein intake can quickly lead to the condition known as bloat, to which they are extremely susceptible.
Adult fish should be fed once per day, only as much as they can consume within two minutes. Feeding can also be divided into several smaller meals per day, provided the total daily amount remains the same.
A receptive female responds to the male’s courtship displays and follows him to his territory. Spawning usually occurs in the calmest part of the territory, often on a gently sloping surface. Eggs are laid one at a time, immediately taken into the female’s mouth, and fertilized by the male during this process.
Eggs are relatively large (approximately 5–7 mm), resulting in small broods of about 6–16 eggs. The female carries the developing fry for around 24–26 days, after which she gradually releases them and guards them for several days. The male plays no role in brood care and often drives the female away immediately after spawning.
Unlike many other mouthbrooding cichlids, female Tropheus continue to feed while carrying fry. In some species, females may accept food without swallowing it, with the food consumed only by the fry, whereas in other species females feed normally together with the fry.
In the aquarium, limited space usually allows only a few, or even a single, dominant male to hold a territory, from which all other cichlids are chased away. Aggression is strongest toward conspecifics, while other species are typically tolerated to a greater extent. Due to pronounced intraspecific aggression, Tropheus should be kept in larger groups to distribute aggression among more individuals.
Two of these forms, T. sp. 'kirschfleck' and T. sp. 'kaiser', are regarded by Ad Konings as geographical variants of T. sp. 'black'. Following African Diving Ltd, these taxa are treated on tanganyika.si as distinct species and are therefore discussed separately on our webpage.
In DR Congo, along the Ubwari Peninsula and north of Makobola, T. sp. 'black' shares habitat with T. sp. 'crescentic' (T. sp. 'lunatus'). Along the Ubwari Peninsula, these two species are known to hybridize, producing highly variable fish exported under names such as "Ubwari Green" and "Muzimu Green", which may show intermediate coloration and caudal-fin shapes. Hybridization is also considered likely in areas north of Makobola where both species co-occur, although photographic documentation is lacking. Another species sharing habitat with T. sp. 'black' is T. duboisi, but this co-occurrence is restricted to the Bemba area.
Diagnostic features of T. sp. 'black' include a jet-black ground coloration with a broad yellow to orange-red band on the body, sometimes broken in certain varieties. When frightened, the body may become light brown, while the tail remains black. A notable characteristic is the permanent loss of the juvenile barred pattern, a feature otherwise known only in T. duboisi. The upper iris is often red.
Photo gallery