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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Julidochromis marksmithi 'Isaba Point'.jpg Neolamprologus brichardi 'Isaba Point'.jpg Spathodus sp. 'erythrodon isaba' Isaba Point.jpg Tropheus sp. 'kipili' Isaba Point.jpg
Previous pageNext pageSpathodus sp. 'erythrodon isaba' Isaba Point
Tribe / Genus: Eretmodini / Spathodus
Biotope: Very shallow, wave-exposed rocky habitat with high oxygenation, rarely deeper than three meters.
Occupies rocky and sediment-rich areas with patches of sand and natural debris such as decaying reeds and leaves.
Geographic distribution: Known only from Isaba Point, located approximately 10 km north of the Kipili Archipelago on the Tanzanian shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Typical adult size: Small goby cichlid; adult size comparable to other Spathodus erythrodon-like species.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is weak; males and females are similar in coloration and body shape.
Diet: Omnivorous aufwuchs feeder.
Feeds on algae and small invertebrates scraped or picked from rocks and sediment-rich substrates.
Breeding: Biparental mouthbrooder, typical of goby cichlids.
The female broods eggs during the first 10–15 days, after which the male takes over brooding of the hatched larvae for a further 10–15 days.
Aggression: Territorial within the species, typically occurring in pairs.
Coexists locally with Eretmodus cyanostictus without clear spatial segregation.
Special notes: A potentially distinct, cryptic Spathodus erythrodon-like species discovered in 2008.
Differs from sympatric Eretmodus cyanostictus by elongated blue dots on head and trunk, yellowish vertical bars extending across the flank, a slightly concave snout, and a more terminal mouth.
Lacks a black dorsal fin spot and blue dorsal submargin, separating it from S. erythrodon-like populations found in the Cape Tembwe–Moba range (DR Congo) and the Isonga–Ikola range (Tanzania).
Considered part of a broader complex of S. erythrodon-like forms showing strong phylogeographic structure across Lake Tanganyika.

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Photo: © African Diving Ltd
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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