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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Utinta'.jpg Enantiopus melanogenys 'Utinta'.jpg Xenotilapia singularis 'Utinta'.jpg
Previous pageXenotilapia singularis 'Utinta'
Tribe / Genus: Ectodini / Xenotilapia
Type locality: Kilewa Bay and Tulo, Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope: Inhabits shallow sandy habitats. The intense coloration of males is considered an adaptation to life in very shallow water, where wave action stirs up sand and makes it easier for females to locate a spawning-ready male.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, with a southern distribution between Mtoto (D.R. Congo) and Kalya (Tanzania).
Typical adult size: Males reach a maximum size of around 14 cm, while females are approximately 1–2 cm smaller. Juveniles grow to about 7–8 cm within their first year and reach sexual maturity at that size.
Sexual dimorphism: Strong sexual dimorphism typical of polygynous species. Males grow larger than females and develop intense coloration, while females remain silvery with only vague markings.
Recommended aquarium size: 400 L
Aquarium setup: Dominant males can be very aggressive and territorial in the aquarium, often attempting to defend a very large territory that may encompass most of the tank. A harem setup is recommended, consisting of one dominant male and several females; an additional subordinate male may be added to stimulate more intense coloration in the dominant male. For long-term maintenance an aquarium length of at least 150 cm is advised.
The bottom should be covered with fine sand, with a few smooth, non-sharp rocks placed to help define territorial boundaries. Excellent water quality is essential and should be maintained with efficient filtration and regular water changes.
Diet: Carnivorous. Although no direct analysis of the digestive system has been conducted, it is presumed to have a diet similar to the closely related Xenotilapia ochrogenys, consisting mainly of aquatic insect larvae, worms and small crustaceans. Feeds in a typical Xenotilapia manner by sifting sand.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males construct sand-scrape spawning sites to attract females. Unlike Xenotilapia ochrogenys, which forms mixed-sex schools, this species occurs in smaller groups led by a dominant male, indicating a harem-breeding system. Females incubate eggs and larvae for about three weeks before releasing the fry. Typical brood size is around 40 fry.
Aggression: Dominant males can be highly aggressive and strongly territorial, especially in confined aquarium conditions.
Special notes: Xenotilapia singularis was previously known as Xenotilapia sp. 'ochrogenys ndole' before being formally described in 2007. It is morphologically very similar to Xenotilapia ochrogenys, but the two species differ clearly in male coloration and distribution.
Males of X. singularis develop 3–5 conspicuous black blotches on the flanks, which are absent in X. ochrogenys. The latter inhabits the northern two thirds of the lake, while X. singularis occurs in the southern part; both species are sympatric around Kalya (Tanzania) and overlap between Kalubamba and Mtoto on the Congolese coast.
The name “Mzuri”, commonly used in the aquarium hobby, does not refer to a specific locality in Lake Tanganyika but is a Swahili word meaning “beautiful”, and has been applied to certain populations of this species.

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Photo: © M. Kwolek-Mirek
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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