Zambia

The calvus cichlid, Altolamprologus calvus, is a laterally compressed predatory cichlid endemic to the rocky shores and islands of Lake Tanganyika. Its shape lets it enter crevices in the rockwork to prey on eggs, fry and small fish, and its thick scales have serrated edges. Several colour forms from different parts of the lake are regularly available and should be kept apart so they do not hybridise. Wild fish are sensitive to changes in water chemistry.

The African banded barb, 'Barbus' fasciolatus, is a small cyprinid widely distributed in Central Southern Africa, from Angola to Zimbabwe. For many years it was imported as Barbus/Barbodes barilioides, now a junior synonym, and it is also called the blue banded or Angola barb. It has 10 to 15 blue-black vertical bars and lives in slow-flowing, heavily vegetated lake shallows, floodplain lagoons and rainforest streams.

Benthochromis tricoti is a deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in open water and feeds on zooplankton. The species is seldom seen in the hobby as it is difficult to collect and ship, and the similar B. horii, described in 2008, had been confused with it and traded under its name. It needs a long tank with the upper two thirds left clear for swimming, and calm tankmates.

Caecomastacembelus albomaculatus is a spiny eel endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits rocky areas around the shoreline. Rarely seen in the hobby, it suits a Tanganyikan community of species too large to be considered food, and its hard, alkaline water requirements rule out most other freshwater tanks. The stiffened dorsal rays that give spiny eels their name mean care is needed when handling it.

Caecomastacembelus plagiostomus is a spiny eel endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in shallow water over rocky areas around the shoreline. Very rarely seen in the hobby, it suits a Tanganyikan community of species too large to be considered food and is somewhat territorial with conspecifics. It grows to 300 mm SL, and its stiffened dorsal rays call for care when handling it.

The big-eyed mouthbrooder, Callochromis macrops, is a sand-sifting cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in the southern part of the lake. It lives over shallow sandy bottoms near rocks, taking in mouthfuls of sand and sifting out invertebrates through the gills. Several geographical colour forms exist and should not be kept together, as they hybridise freely. Males are particularly belligerent towards one another in captivity, so a small tank suits one male with several females.

The featherfin cichlid, Cyathopharynx furcifer, is a maternal mouthbrooder endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives over scattered rocks and sand. Highly sought after in the hobby but fairly delicate, it needs a lot of space and the highest water quality, and males develop full adult colour only at around 4 inches. Males dig spawning craters up to 60 cm across. The colour forms of the two Cyathopharynx species should not be kept together, as they can hybridise.

Cyphotilapia gibberosa is a large cichlid endemic to southern Lake Tanganyika, with a hump on the forehead and broad vertical body bands. Until its description in 2003 the genus was considered monotypic, and forms referred to as 'Blue Zaire' are sometimes misidentified as C. frontosa. A gregarious maternal mouthbrooder, it grows to 255 mm SL and forms a dominance hierarchy in groups of at least five.

The sardine cichlid, Cyprichromis leptosoma, is a peaceful open-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. In nature it congregates in shoals of several thousand, feeding on zooplankton, and it occurs in several geographical morphs, each in blue and yellow-tailed forms. Fish sold as C. leptosoma sp. 'Jumbo' grow larger than the 'true' leptosoma and are likely a different species, and none of these forms should be housed together because they can hybridise.

Descamp's strange-tooth cichlid, Ectodus descampsii, is a shy cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, between Moliro and Utinta Bay. It inhabits open water over sand and is gregarious, so a group of at least eight is recommended. An undescribed fish, Ectodus sp. 'north', is sometimes imported under this name and has a smaller adult size and a black dorsal spot towards the front of the fin (in the middle in E. descampsii).

The striped goby cichlid, Eretmodus cyanostictus, is one of the goby cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika, living in the surge zone of rocky shores. It scrapes algae from the rocks with specialised teeth and has a swim bladder rendered useless to reduce buoyancy. Delicate in aquaria, it needs the highest water quality, a higher pH than many Tanganyikans and a specialised diet, and is not recommended for beginners.

Gnathochromis permaxillaris is a deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, recorded foraging at depths of up to 200 metres. The upper lip of adults is extended to extraordinary proportions, so the mouth faces downwards when opened, and the fish uses it to sift invertebrates from the sand. It is rare in the trade because it is difficult to collect in numbers, it is sensitive to deteriorating water quality, and the colour morphs should not be mixed as they may hybridise.

The African tiger fish, Hydrocynus vittatus, is a large predatory alestid found throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa. A voracious piscivore with dagger-shaped, interlocking teeth, it hunts in large shoals in the wild and is a popular game fish. Small specimens show up quite frequently in dealers' tanks, but even an aquarium of 300 by 90 cm is too small for an adult.

The brown julie, Julidochromis dickfeldi, is a cave-spawning cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It inhabits shallow rocky shorelines in the southwest of the lake, between Kapampa and Ndole. There is some speculation over whether it belongs in Julidochromis, since it has a pointed snout, blue edging to the dorsal and anal fins and very dark horizontal stripes. It is aggressive towards conspecifics and should be kept as a pair.

Regan's julie, Julidochromis regani, is the largest species of Julie, a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It reaches 30 cm but rarely grows beyond 15 cm in aquaria, and is the least aggressive member of the genus. Less of a rock dweller than its congeners, it is more often found over sand with scattered rocks, though it still spawns in rocky caves. It may also be seen for sale as the striped or convict julie.

The African bullhead, Lophiobagrus cyclurus, is a small claroteid catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It hides among rocks by day and forages after dark, and it lives in most communities of Tanganyikan catfish and cichlids, though very small fish will be eaten. It is rumoured to secrete a poisonous mucus when stressed that can kill other fish in the aquarium, which is one reason to house it in as large a tank as possible.

The Tanganyikan spiny eel, Mastacembelus ellipsifer, is a spiny eel endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It is found around the shores, most often where the rocks give way to sandier substrates, and spends much of its time burrowed in the substrate, so the aquarium needs a layer of sand. Nocturnal and predatory, it is best kept in a Tanganyikan community with species too large to be considered food.

The striped lamprologus, Neolamprologus buescheri, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found around the southern part of the lake. One of the most aggressive small cichlids in the hobby, it is not recommended for the beginner and needs plenty of caves for subdominant fish. Several geographical morphs are available, including 'gombi', 'kachese', 'kamakonde' and 'zaire'.

Neolamprologus callipterus is a shell-brooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, in which males grow many times larger than females. Males must be large enough to carry snail shells and females small enough to fit inside them, and in nature the nests of large males can measure several metres across. Males are territorial and aggressive, and the species is not very popular in the hobby because of its relatively drab colouration and aggressive nature.

Affectionately referred to as 'Puncs', the caudopunctatus is a social and active dwarf cichlid endemic to the rocky and intermediate areas of shallow waters in Lake Tanganyika. A substrate-spawning rock dweller in nature, 'Puncs' are also opportunistic shell dwellers in home aquaria.

The barred lamprologus, Neolamprologus fasciatus, is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, living mainly in rocky areas. Its laterally compressed body lets it enter crevices in the rockwork to prey on invertebrates, eggs, fry and small fish. It is sometimes confused with juvenile Altolamprologus but has a blue-green iris and a more elongate body.

Lemaire's lamprologus, Neolamprologus lemairii, is a piscivorous cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, growing to around 25 cm. An ambush predator, it lies motionless on the substrate so that its mottled pattern makes it appear dead to the smaller fish that come to investigate. It is unsuited to the general aquarium and should be kept alone, with tankmates too large to be considered food. In nature it spawns in caves.

Known in the hobby as the brichardi, Neolamprologus pulcher is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives over rocky shoreline. It is sold as the fairy cichlid, lyretail cichlid and princess of Burundi, and is easy to keep and breed. It is aggressively territorial, especially when guarding fry, and in nature occurs in shoals of many thousands. Species in the 'Brichardi complex' hybridise freely and should not be mixed.

Ophthalmotilapia nasuta is a mouthbrooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found on its northwestern, southwestern and southern coasts. A fleshy, proboscis-like growth extending beyond the upper lip, more prominent in males, separates it from the rest of the genus. Several geographical morphs exist, including 'Kachese', 'Mpimbwe', 'Cape Tembwe' and 'Chamba', and these should not be mixed as they hybridise freely.

Ophthalmotilapia ventralis is a mouthbrooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found around most of the lake's coastline. It exists in well over 20 colour morphs, which hybridise freely and should not be mixed. In nature only the largest dominant males build nests, holding territories that may measure several metres across, while subdominant males and females shoal together.

The Tanganyikan tilapia, Oreochromis tanganicae, is a large cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits river mouths and shorelines. It is often seen in shoals in nature and appears to feed primarily on phytoplankton. Reaching 42 cm, it is not seen very often in the hobby.

Paracyprichromis brieni is a deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is quite widespread. Males hold territories under rocky overhangs and are often seen hanging upside down beneath them, while females stay in open water above the rocks. It is easily confused with P. nigripinnis, its only congener, but has smaller eyes and a slimmer, more elongate body, and it quickly loses its best colouration under bright lighting or with boisterous tankmates.

A deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Paracyprichromis nigripinnis is easily confused with P. brieni, its only congener. It has larger eyes and a slightly rounder, stockier body than that species. Males hold territories under rocky overhangs and can often be seen hanging upside down beneath them. Several colour morphs exist that hybridise if mixed, and the fish loses its best colouration under bright lighting or with boisterous tankmates.

Petrochromis famula is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in both the north and the south of the lake in shallow water over rocky bottoms. Its highly specialised mouthparts form a rasping 'plate' for scraping algae from rock, so the diet in captivity should be high in fibre and low in protein. Like others in the genus it has a nasty reputation, though aggression is directed primarily towards conspecifics.

Reganochromis calliurus is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it usually swims at 60 metres depth or more over sand or mud. Its deep-water lifestyle makes it difficult to collect, and it is rarely seen in the hobby. A peaceful biparental mouthbrooder, it should be kept in pairs and not with boisterous species such as mbuna.

The cuckoo Synodontis, Synodontis multipunctata, is a Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it swims in large shoals. One of the only fish known to practise brood parasitism, it lays its eggs among those of a mouthbrooding cichlid, and the young catfish devour the host's eggs. It is bred quite often in aquaria, with cichlids from Lake Malawi or Victoria as hosts, and should be kept in a group of four or more.

The dwarf lake Synodontis, Synodontis petricola, is a small, peaceful Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Unlike most of the genus it is bred quite often in aquaria, usually as an open-spawning egg scatterer, though it is also one of the few fish known to practise brood parasitism. It should be kept in a group of four or more, and a dwarf form adapts to a wider range of water chemistry.

Poll's Synodontis, Synodontis polli, is a Synodontis catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in large schools at 30 to 125 metres. It inhabits muddy bottoms and is not comfortable in well-lit conditions without hiding places. Superficially similar to S. petricola, it has larger body spots and a longer head, and it is occasionally mis-identified in the trade as S. angelicus, S. petricola or Synodontis sp.

Telmatochromis vittatus is a lamprologine cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in open water near rocky areas at 5 to 20 metres. Similar in lifestyle to Julidochromis species, it suits the smaller Tanganyikan community. It is told from T. brichardi and T. bifrenatus by its larger size, smaller eyes and more rounded nose, and should be kept as a pair because it is aggressive towards conspecifics.

The yellow sand cichlid, Xenotilapia flavipinnis, is a bi-parental mouthbrooder endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where groups swim over sandy substrates. In nature the pair bond lasts only for the breeding season. In aquaria it can last much longer, with the pair remaining in their territory and defending it even when not spawning. A gentle substrate-sifter, it needs sand, a group of 6-10 and peaceful Tanganyikan tankmates, and it is very sensitive to deteriorating water conditions.

The black-chinned xenotilapia, Xenotilapia melanogenys, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in huge shoals over sandy substrates. Much of the literature still places it in the genus Enatiopus. The shoals in nature appear to be fixed, with an individual remaining in the same group for life. A skittish fish, it may react very nervously to rapid movements outside the tank and should not be kept with boisterous fish such as mbuna.

The big-eyed xenotilapia, Xenotilapia sima, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is found in large groups over sandy substrates. Rarely seen in the hobby, it feeds like the South American Geophagus species, sifting sand through its gills for invertebrates, so a sand substrate is essential. A peaceful and skittish maternal mouthbrooder, it should be kept in a group of 6-10 with peaceful Tanganyikan species and never with mbuna.

The green swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii, is a livebearer native to southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Among the world's most recognisable aquarium fishes, it is ubiquitous in the trade, where selective breeding and hybridisation with X. maculatus and X. variatus have produced a bewildering array of ornamental forms. The name is often misspelled X. helleri.

The emperor cichlid, Boulengerochromis microlepis, is the only member of its genus and the largest African cichlid, endemic to Lake Tanganyika. A prized food fish around the lake, it grows to 450 to 550 mm and adults are almost entirely piscivorous. Young farm-raised specimens have been readily available in the trade since the mid-2000s, but it is suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria.

Marlier's julie, Julidochromis marlieri, is a rock-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, also sold as the chequered julie. It swims hugging the rock surfaces at any angle, and is found in fairly deep water along rocky shorelines. Adults are very belligerent towards one another, so unless the tank is huge it should be kept as a pair. Several geographical morphs are available, and no two species or morphs of Julidochromis should be kept together as they may hybridise.

The golden julie, Julidochromis ornatus, is a cave-spawning cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found mainly in the north of the lake. One of the most common Julie species in aquaria, it may also be sold as the yellow or ornate julie. Most specimens available are tank bred and lack the bright colouration of wild fish. Several geographical morphs and an albino aquarium sport exist, and none should be kept with other Julidochromis as they may hybridise.

The Tanganyika lates, Lates angustifrons, is a giant predatory fish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, growing to 200 cm. Juveniles have turned up in some aquatic stores, but the species is not suited to captive life in any respect, and housing an adult is beyond the reach of most public aquaria. Highly piscivorous, it feeds mainly on cichlids in nature, and adults live throughout the lake, usually around the lake bed.

Neolamprologus brevis is a shell-dwelling cichlid found widely throughout Lake Tanganyika, and one of the commoner shell dwellers in the hobby. Where few snail shells collect, pairs share the same shell. Its territories are usually no more than 6" across but are defended vigorously. It is told apart from the similar Neolamprologus ocellatus by the vertical barring on its flanks.

The lemon cichlid, Neolamprologus leleupi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found over rocky shorelines in the south of the lake. It is not as easy to maintain as its popularity suggests, being intolerant of conspecifics and sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. The darker N. l. melas lives alongside the yellow form in nature, an example of polychromatism.

Neolamprologus multifasciatus is a shell-brooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, and probably the smallest known cichlid species. It lives in fairly deep water around the shoreline, over soft substrates where the empty shells of snails collect. Each fish defends a territory usually no more than 6" across, and a group kept with more shells than fish will form a colony.

The ocellated shell-dweller, Neolamprologus ocellatus, is a small shell-brooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It buries its shell until only the entrance shows and defends it vigorously, sometimes burying neighbouring shells as well to keep other fish out. Males grow much larger than females, and a gold morph has become popular in the hobby. The lack of vertical barring on the flanks separates it from the similar N. brevis.

The striped brichardi, Neolamprologus savoryi, is a rock-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. A member of the so-called 'Brichardi complex', it hybridises freely with the others and should not be mixed with them in aquaria. Its pattern of vertical bars distinguishes it within the complex. An aggressive, territorial species, it is best kept in a species tank.

The six-barred lamprologus, Neolamprologus sexfasciatus, is a predatory cichlid from the southern part of Lake Tanganyika. It occurs only between Cape Tembwe and Karema, in shallow rocky areas and intermediate zones. Several geographical morphs are available, including 'Sambia' and 'Kipili', varying in base colour from blue to yellow to white. Its aggressive and predatory nature rules it out of the general Tanganyikan community, and only a single pair should be kept.

Neolamprologus signatus is a shell-brooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, known from Moba in DR Congo south to Cape Kapembwa in Zambia. Males and females look very different. Males grow larger and have vertical bars on the flanks, and females have none. Only one male should be kept unless the aquarium is large.

Tropheus moorii is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in shallow water around rocky shores and known in over 50 geographical morphs. Despite its popularity it is not a good species for the beginner. Water quality matters above all because it is very susceptible to 'bloat', vegetable matter should form the basis of its diet, and different morphs hybridise freely and should not be mixed.

Variabilichromis moorii is a lamprologine cichlid endemic to the southern part of Lake Tanganyika, living in shallow water around rocky shorelines. All adults are dark, but depending on locality the fry may be dark, yellow or orange. The only known lamprologine that eats filamentous algae, it is often sold as Neolamprologus moorii and is relatively peaceful even when spawning.