Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Perissodus elaviae 'Mpulungu'.jpg Telmatochromis temporalis 'Mpulungu'.jpg Trematocara unimaculatum 'Mpulungu'.jpg Tropheus moorii 'Mpulungu'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTrematocara unimaculatum (Mpulungu market)
Tribe / Genus: Trematocarini / Trematocara
Type locality: Usambura market, Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope: Muddy deep-water habitats down to depths of about 215 meters, at the limit of the oxygen-bearing layer. Likely migrates to somewhat shallower water during the night.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika with a lake-wide distribution in suitable habitats.
Typical adult size: Average length reported about 12.5 cm for females and 11 cm for males.
Sexual dimorphism: Males have a large black spot on the dorsal fin surrounded by a white halo; the marking is much smaller in females. Females are reported to be larger than males.
Diet: Feeds on small snails as well as insect larvae and crustaceans.
Breeding: A ripe female was reported with 120 eggs, about 2 mm long.
Aggression: Very timid and non-aggressive.
Special notes: This species is among the very few fishes capable of permanently inhabiting depths at the extreme limit of the oxygen-bearing layer, where dissolved oxygen levels are very low.

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Photo: © Adrian Indermaur
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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