Ophthalmotilapia

Ophthalmotilapia boops is a mouthbrooding cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found only along the southern Tanzanian coastline. It inhabits rocky drop-offs and slopes. A relatively boisterous species needing a lot of space for its size, it becomes withdrawn unless it is the dominant species in the tank, and males are aggressive towards each other. It was the first species placed in the genus Ophthalmotilapia.

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.