Scientific name: Altolamprologus calvus

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: Congo & Zambia shores

Habitat: Shallow rocky habitat

Diet: Carnivore

Breeding: Substrate spawner

Physical description: The A.calvus males maximum size is 15 cm, as female attain maximum size of 10 cm. The two species possesses high, laterally compressed body (from Latin, Altus= high) which provides the ability to crowd into narrow crevices & cracks.

General information: There are three A.calvus variants:"white calvus" from cape Chaitika, Zambia. "black calvus", from Congo & Zambia shores. "yellow calvus", from Nkamba bay, Zambia.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: In the wild, A.calvus lives at the rocky habitat, very close to the substrate, stalking juvenile fish, crustaceans & shrimps. Special haunting technique is used once a prey spotted - the A.calvus stop cruising, divert to almost vertical position with head towards "target" & strike. Breeding takes place at small holes, narrow crack & shells, big enough for females to enter & spawn the eggs, but too small for males to enter. After the eggs have been laid, the male fertilize them at the entrance of the hole.

Living condition: A.calvus should be given low fat, high protein food consists of fish, krill, shrimps, mussels from quality source. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius. pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Asprotilapia leptura

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: Rocky habitat

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Biparental mouthbrooder

Physical description: The A.leptura maximum size is 10 cm. Males & females are monomorphic. This cichlid is elongated & posses a very unique ventral mouth which allows it to feed in a very peculiar way from rocks.

General information: A.leptura has no specific geographic variants and is widely distributed in the lake and is common at the rocky coasts.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: The A.leptura usually feeds from the biocover found on large rocks with very rapid "picking" movement due to its unique ventral mouth. It is also known that this cichlid feeds on plankton in the water column. In both cases, feeding occurs in large groups. When ready to spawn, male & female will separate from the group to an isolated location. After spawning, the female will guard the eggs in her mouth first.  Few days later the female will transfer the eggs to male. The couple will incubate the eggs for 3 weeks, then releases the fry and continue to guard them for 3-4 weeks. 

Living condition: A.leptura should be given low fat, high protein food consists of krill & shrimps from quality source. It is also recommended to supply the fish vegetable matter. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Ctenochromis horei

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: Shallow sediment rich habitat

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Maternal mouth brooder

Physical description: C.horei males reach total length of 16 cm while females attain length of 14 cm. The dominant males exhibit remarkable coloration pattern of red dots on the body, while black dots & stripes decorates their yellow face. Females on the other hand, possess pale body with few faded dots on face.

General information: the C.horei is very common around the lake & has no specific variation.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: In the wild, C.horei dwells in the shallow muddy bays, rich with vegetation. The rich vegetation is necessary for mouthbrooding females & small juvenile for refuge. C.horei is also known as a breeding host to Synodontis multipunctatus catfish. Synodontis multipunctatus stalk after the breeding pairs of C.horei & deposits its eggs, C.horei females collect the eggs to their mouth & brood both types of eggs.After hatching Synodontis multipunctatus larvae evolves much faster than C.horei larvae, & eventually devours them.

Living condition: C.horei should be given low fat, high protein food consists of fish, krill, shrimps, mussels from quality source.It is also recommended to supply the fish vegetable matter. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Cyathopharynx foai/furcifer

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: Intermediate habitat

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder

Physical description: The maximum size of C.foai/furcifer males is 23 cm. Females maximum size is 15 cm. C.foai males have a dark coloration with green-purple-blue-golden body. C.furcifer has lighter colors with blue & green body. C.foai/furcifer females are silvery with small dark spots along their body. It is very difficult to distinguish females from the two species. The males possess elongated pelvic fins with yellow egg-like tips. Due to its omnivorous diet, this cichlid intestine is rather long.

General information: C.foai/furcifer has many geographic variants and has a wide distribution across the lake's shores. The two species are often found at the same location with overlapping habitats.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: C.foai/furcifer feeds on plankton & also on bio-cover on rocks & sand. The C.foai/furcifer dwells in depth of 3-30 meters. Males build large sand nests on sand or on top of large boulders in order to attract females to their territory.Territory are large with a diameter of 1-2 meters.  In order to attract the female to his territory, the male flashes his fins & swims energetically around the female. When an egg is laid, the males tighten his egg-like tips of his pelvic fins to his genitalia while he spread his sperm. The female tries to collect the egg-like tips and in that manner the eggs in her mouth are fertilized. The female brood the eggs for 3 weeks. This cichlid requires a 1.5 meters long aquarium with rocky decoration & sandy substrate. It is not recommended to populate more than 2 males in the aquarium & it is advised introduce at least 3 females for each males.

Living condition: C.foai/furcifer should be given low fat, high protein food consists of krill & shrimps from quality source. It is also recommended to supply the fish vegetable matter. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Cyphotilapia

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: Deep rocky habitat

Diet: Carnivore

Breeding: Maternal mouth brooder

Physical description: The Cyphotilapia maximum size is 40 cm. The Cyphotilapia is a piscivore - the teeth on the pharyngeal bone are sharp & slender in shape in order to consume live pray.

General information: There are three Cyphotilapia species: sp. North, Frontosa & Gibberosa. The sp. North variants ranging from Maswa area at the northern east coast of  the lake at Tanzania through Burundi coasts at the north part of the lake, to Kavala area at the northern west coast of the lake at Congo(most familiar variants are: Bulu point, Karilani Burundi, Kavala, etc.). The Gibberosa variants are ranging from Ikola at the middle east coast of  the lake at Tanzania through Zambia coasts at the south of the lake, to Tembwe at the the middle east coast of the lake at Congo(most familiar variants are: Ikola, Mpimbwe, Kipili, Bismark, Nangu, Kapampa, Moba, Kitumba, etc.). The Frontosa variants located at Kigoma region at Tanzania and also familiar by the name "7 stripes Frontosa". 

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: In the wild, Cyphotilapia generally lives in groups ranging from 15-25 Individuals at the deep rocky habitat. The group consists of one alpha male, 2-3 three smaller, sub-dominant males & the rest are females. Therefore in the aquarium, it is recommended to retain a ratio of 2 males & least 10 females to reduce aggression & achieving successful breeding. Suitable tankmates: Altolamprologus, large lamprologines, Grammatotria lemairii, Benthochromis tricoti, Haplotaxodon microlepis, Gnathochromis permaxiliaris etc.

Living condition: Cyphotilapia should be given low fat, high protein food consists of fish, krill, shrimps, mussels from quality source. Avoid feeding Cyphotilpia with floating food which can cause float situation. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9

Scientific name: Cyprichromis Zonatus

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: Mid-water

Diet: Omnivore (Planktivore)

Breeding: Maternal mouth brooder

Physical description: C. Zonatus total length is 13 cm. Characterized by 3 vertical bars on the body. Female are less colorful than males. Some males show yellow colors on body & fins while other males show blue colors.  

General information: the C. Zonatus has limited distribution area and is restricted to Chituta bay in south-eastern of the lake at the Zambian shoreline. Also called "Cyprichromis zebra".

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: In the wild, C. Zonatus dwells in depth of 5-30 meters in mid-water, each group counting thousands of individuals. C. Zonatus feeds on phytoplankton & microscopic zooplankton. Breeding occurs at the territory of the male in mid-water. Clutch size ranges from 4-23 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for approximately 3 weeks and then releases the free swimming fry with no further protection. In the aquarium, it is recommended to keep a group of 10 at least in order to exhibit natural behavior of this cichlid. Best kept with Tanganyikan cichlid species such as: Xenotilapia, Enantiopus, Asprotilapia, Lamprologines, Altolamprologus & Tropheus. It is not recommended to keep this cichlid along with adult Cyphotilpia & other aggressive cichlids.

Living condition: C. Zonatus should be given low fat, high protein food consists of fish, krill, shrimps, mussels from quality source. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Eretmodus cyanostictus

Geographic origin: Lake Tanganyika

Distribution: Cross Lake

Habitat: Surge habitat

Diet: Herbivore

Breeding: Bi-parental mouthbrooder

Physical description: E.cyanostictus males reach total length of 11 cm while females attain length of 9 cm. This cichlid is suitable to thrive in strong currents & wavy waters of the upper 1-2 meters at the shallow rocky habitat: elongated and compressed body, long dorsal fin, almost degenerated swim bladder, strong pectoral & pelvic fins (serve as an anchor to rocks). The Eretmodus is herbivorous cichlid. Its diet consists of an algae layer that grows on rocks called "biofilm". The pharyngeal jaw of the Eretmodus Composed of many densely crowded teeth in order to refract the algae. The Eretmodus has long intestines in order to digest algae.  

General information: the E.cyanostictus has many variations and is very common around the rocky shoreline of the lake. Additional common names for this cichlid: Goby cichlid, Tanganyikan goby, Tanganyikan clown.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: In the wild, E.cyanostictus dwells in the surge habitat close to rocks. When breeding occurs, the pair will spawn on top of a chosen flat rock and will defend it bravely and chase away any "passerby". Clutch size ranges from 8 to 50 eggs. After about seven days of brooding, the female transfers the larvae to the male's custody. After additional 6-7 days the male transfers the larvae back to the female & after few more days of brooding it releases the free swimming fry between rocks. At the aquarium it is recommended to keep one pair only. Rocky decoration is necessary. Best kept with Tropheus, Simochromis & Petrocromis.

Living condition: E.cyanostictus should be given low fat, vegetable food. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius.  pH level should range from 8-9.

Scientific name: Gnathochromis permaxiliaris

Geographic origin: lake Tanganyika

Distribution: cross lake

Habitat: deep muddy habitat

Diet: Carnivore

Breeding: Biparenthal mouthbrooder

Physical description: The G.permaxiliaris maximum size is 18 cm. Females appears to be smaller than males. Both genders have similar coloration. This cichlid has a unique large mouth with extended upper lip.

General information: G.permaxiliaris has no specific variants and found throughout the lake.

Anatomical, physiological or behavioral adaptations: The G.permaxiliaris dwells in depth of 25-200 meters. It feeds mainly on small crustaceans and invertebrates found on the muddy bottom. Breeding occurs in holes dug in the mud. The female and the male guards the eggs together and transfer them several times a day. Clutch size is 20-150 eggs. It is advised to populate only one or more than four individuals in the aquarium and supply many hiding places, because of the cichlid's conspecific aggression. Recommended tank size is 1.5 meters or longer with water volume of at least 500 liters.

Living condition: G.permaxiliaris should be given low fat, high protein food consists of fish, krill, shrimps, mussels from quality source. The temperature should range from 24-27 degrees Celsius. pH level should range from 8-9.