AFRICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
Genus Congochromis.
A recently established genus, to which species from the genus Nanochromis (N. squamiceps, N. dimidiatus, and N. sabinae) were transferred. Males reach a larger size than females and have longer dorsal, anal, and ventral fins. Adult males sometimes have a small bump on the head and a long filament on the upper part of the caudal fin. Males defend their territory during the spawning period. Very strong intraspecific aggression, therefore the aquarium must have plenty of hiding places.
— Congochromis dimidiatus [Pellegrin, 1900]. Synonym: Haplochromis, Pelmatochromis, Nanochromis dimidiatus. Gabon, Congo, Congo River delta. 6-8 cm, females 2 cm smaller. Body grayish. The main coloration of the male is brownish-golden, the chest area is golden, dark red scale margins form a reticulated pattern on the body. During the spawning period, light dark longitudinal stripes or spots may appear along the lateral line on the flanks.
Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are transparent, yellowish, with faint red and blue spots. Some males have a reddish dorsal and caudal fin. Females are smaller, with similar coloration and a dark chocolate-brown stripe along the lateral line, a crimson or yellow-orange belly, and a reddish edge on the back of the dorsal fin. Above the anal opening, the middle of the body is almost white with shiny scales. Bright red coloration surrounds the mouth and is present above the eye. Ventral fins in females are rounded, while in males they are much more pointed. During the breeding season, the female’s belly acquires a rich purple color.
During spawning, the male’s head turns reddish-orange, extending along the back and fading near the tail. His unpaired fins are covered with narrow vertical rows of alternating light red and blue spots. The edges of the dorsal and caudal fins are bright orange and white. Females have a bright red-orange head, and their body glows with a shiny silvery color with a pastel pinkish tint.
They can be kept in pairs, preferably formed from a group of juveniles, in a general aquarium (from 60 cm in length for a pair) with peaceful fishes that stay in the middle and upper water layers. Large flat stones are placed along the back and side walls in the form of pyramids, creating numerous caves connected by passages. These shelters are necessary for the fish, as they like to spend part of their time in caves.
Due to the abundance of stones, the fish do not dig pits even during spawning, but instead lay eggs in rock crevices or caves. The pair forms a territory, which is usually defended by the male. In the same stones after spawning, the mouth-brooding female can easily hide from the male’s continued courtship. Plant thickets, driftwood, and caves in places (their number should be at least equal to the number of pairs). Very active swimmers, so decorations should be free of sharp corners. Fed with daphnia, tubifex, Artemia, and dry foods. Sexual maturity at 9-12 months. Spawning is in pairs, in a shelter. The clutch is guarded primarily by the female. dH 5-15°; pH 6.3-7.5; T 24-27°C.
— Congochromis sabinae [Lamboj, 2005]. Synonym: Nanochromis sabinae. Gabon, Congo. Male 7 cm, female 5 cm. Adult males have a spade-shaped tail and usually somewhat elongated dorsal and anal fins. Gill covers, throat, and the ventral part of the flank and chest range from reddish to orange. The front part of the dorsal fin is pale reddish-brown, while the back part is more intense orange to reddish-brown with small reddish and pale blue spots. The rear half of the dorsal fin has a white edge.
The caudal fin is pinkish-purple with 6-8 rows of red to reddish-brown and pale blue spots, usually paler in the lower lobe. The anal fin is bluish-purple with rows of red and pale blue spots and a dark purple to black border. Ventral fins range from pale reddish to light purple with a whitish leading edge. Pectoral fins may be pale orange. During spawning, males also display various patterns with more intense red to orange pigmentation in the lower, front part of the body.
Females are more brightly colored than males. The mouth, cheeks, and gill covers are orange to red. Mature females have an orange-red belly and more intense coloration overall. They also have one or more black spots in the rear part of the dorsal fin, with the rest of the fin being orange-red with pale and/or small black spots in some individuals. The caudal fin is pale orange to red, more intense in the upper lobe. The anal fin is yellowish, pectoral fins range from pale yellow to light orange, and ventral fins are orange to purple with a pale leading edge.
Relatively peaceful with other fish species. The aquarium should contain a large number of ceramic shelters, caves, coconut shell halves, stones, roots, and pieces of wood. Plants should be planted along the edges. Best kept in pairs; a group will require a larger volume. Males can be very aggressive towards females during courtship. In the confined space of an aquarium, enough shelters must be provided for females. A sandy substrate is recommended as they like to dig in it.
Stable water conditions are required; they should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium. Peat filtration is also useful for increasing tannin-stained waters. They feed on most aquarium foods, but live and frozen foods should make up the bulk of the diet. Requires soft and slightly acidic water. The pair digs a cave under a stone or piece of driftwood where spawning takes place. Parents care for the fry for 5-6 weeks. Fry grow slowly. T 24-27°C; dH 1-10°; pH 4.0-6.5.
— Congochromis squamiceps [Boulenger, 1902]. Synonym: Nanochromis, Pseudoplesiops squamiceps. Congo River basin. 7 cm. A stripe runs along the flank. The caudal fin features a pattern of dots or lines. Females have a bright silvery group of scales on the belly, which turns red and becomes rounded during spawning. Males are larger and have elongated dorsal and anal fins. High intraspecific aggression within the species is possible, so make sure you have plenty of hiding places for the fish to escape.
Identification: Genus Congochromis — Congochromis.
Genus Divandu, Genus Etia, Genus Enigmatochromis, Genus Gobiocichla.
Genus Chromidotilapia, Genus Cyclopharynx. 
