CICHLIDS OF LAKE TANGANYIKA.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
Genus Petrochromis — Petrochromis.
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The Malawian equivalent is the genus Petrotilapia. Reaching a length of 15-30 cm. Petrochromis species are very interesting and attractive both in their behavior and feeding techniques, as well as in their external forms, especially the shape of the head, lips, and teeth. They have wide lips and numerous sharp, tricuspid teeth. In most varieties, the mouth does not close completely. Many species bear two different types of egg-spot releasers on the anal fin: yellow, dark-rimmed releasers on the back part of the anal fin and rimless releasers on the front part of the same fin (at the tips of the first hard rays). Rimmed releasers are also present on the anal fin of females, but they are smaller and fewer in number.
Near almost every rocky coast in a single, separate location, you can find 8 different species of Petrochromis representing various species groups (sympatric coexistence). They grow large and are particularly aggressive algae-eaters, which makes their maintenance somewhat difficult, especially for inexperienced aquarists. The aquarium must be large and have sufficient open spaces between the rocks. The aquarium design should be arranged so that each male in the group has its own space where they can establish a territory. Females carrying eggs must be provided with shelters.
They are extremely aggressive, voracious, extremely demanding regarding aquarium volume and filtration intensity, and are capable of wiping out the entire population of your aquarium. You can keep multiple Petrochromis, but with high species diversity, meaning several species of Petrochromis should be kept in the same aquarium.
Petrochromis are perfectly adapted to feeding on algae; nature has ensured that both food gathering and digestion are optimally regulated. When keeping them, increased attention must be paid to the diet, preferring spirulina-containing (or plant-containing) flakes and pellets (pre-soaked in water). Females incubate eggs in their mouths.
— Petrochromis famula [Matthes & Trewavas, 1960] — Brown-green, famula, variable Petrochromis. Lake Tanganyika, rocky biotopes. 15 cm. Representatives of this species are smaller in size than other Petrochromis species. On the upper and lower lips lies a huge number of small tricuspid teeth, the tips of which are curved inward. The shape of the mouth and the structure of the teeth help the fish scrape algal growth from rocks. The caudal fin is rounded.
The male is brown-green to chocolate with 9 light vertical stripes, with fins colored in chestnut turning to red. The back is bronze with a greenish tint. The dorsal fin has a black border, the anal fin is bluish. Males of this species bear yellow, dark-rimmed releasers at the rear of the anal fin and yellow rimless releasers at the front of the anal fin (at the tips of the first hard rays). Dark-rimmed releasers are also present on the anal fin of females, but they are smaller and less numerous. Females are colored brighter, but have less developed dorsal, anal, and ventral fins.
Color morphs: — P. famula “Burundi” – distinguished by the presence of vertical stripes on the body; — P. famula “Kapampa” or “Kaiser” – distinguished by a chestnut body, a wide white-beige stripe on the body extending onto the dorsal fin; — P. famula “Kigoma” – distinguished by the presence of red fins, especially the dorsal one; — P. famula “Tembwe” – distinguished by a higher body; — P. famula “Zambia” – distinguished by a chestnut body. The snout, tail base, and unpaired fins are blue.
Aggressive species. A spacious aquarium is required with a single decoration element — a horizontal stone slab on which the fish are presumed to spawn. The main thing is not to create specific territories with boundaries, to have no caves, and to keep a sufficient number of fish so as not to provoke and focus conspecific aggression. Substrate of fine river sand. It is better not to plant live plants in the aquarium.
Pairs as well as small groups of fish of this species can be kept equally successfully. Keeping more than one adult male in an aquarium is practically unrealistic. Success is easier to achieve by keeping a group, which generally successfully coexist for several years, although at any moment harmony can be broken and the group destroyed by a tyrannical male. Neighbors can include Tropheus, Ophtalmotilapia, Callochromis, Julidochromis, Telmatochromis, Chalinochromis, Synodontis.
For feeding, it is best not to use coarse animal-based foods such as worms, shrimp meat, fish meat, etc. Mosquito larvae can be used, but in moderation. Consistently good results can be achieved by using quality flake foods that are 90% plant-based. You can supplement the fish with frozen Artemia and Cyclops in small amounts. In addition, blanched spinach leaves, young lettuce leaves, and sea algae can be added to the diet.
Mature at 2 years. Males and females come together only during the breeding period. At the time of spawning, the male colors up as brightly as possible and begins to circle around the female in a joyful dance. Females are often chased by active males, sometimes to total exhaustion. The female incubates eggs in her mouth and cares for the fry for 4-6 weeks. They live up to 6 years. Temperature 25-27°C; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-20°.
Identification: Petrochromis famula — Petrochromis famula.
— Petrochromis fasciolatus [Boulenger, 1914] — Multistripe Petrochromis fasciolatus. Lake Tanganyika. 15 cm, females are smaller. Body slightly elongated and moderately high. Mouth slightly superior, lower jaw slightly longer than upper. On the upper and lower lips lies a huge number of small tricuspid teeth, the tips of which are curved inward. The mouth does not close completely. Reddish teeth are always visible, especially on the lower jaw. In adult males, the body is gray-blue. 12 vertical stripes on the body are more noticeable in females. There are bright egg-spot releasers on the anal fin. — P. fasciolatus “Red eye” – a race distinguished by red eyes against a bright orange background.
An aquarium decorated with several large boulders placed in such a way as to form visible boundaries and several separate territories. The best substrate is fine, medium-sized beige-brown river sand. It is better not to plant live plants in the aquarium. Pairs as well as small groups of fish of this species can be kept equally successfully. Unlike other members of this genus, which are solitary and territorial, this species prefers to live in groups at least for some period of time.
Success is easier to achieve by keeping a group, which generally successfully coexist for several years, although at any moment harmony can be broken and the group destroyed by a tyrannical male. Males are extremely territorial and their aggressiveness is directed not only against conspecific males, but also against males of other species. Very susceptible to digestive tract diseases if fed improperly (presence of coarse animal foods in the diet) or kept in inappropriate conditions.
— Petrochromis macrognathus [Yamaoka, 1983] — Large-mouth Petrochromis macrognathus. Lake Tanganyika. 17-20 cm, females are smaller. Body slightly elongated and moderately high. Mouth inferior, very powerful lips — this is a distinctive morphological feature of this species. On the upper and lower lips lies a huge number of small tricuspid teeth, the tips of which are curved inward. Various color variations of this species can be found in different parts of the lake.
The male’s body is green with frequent narrow yellow stripes. Egg-spot releasers are usually present on the male’s anal fin. The outer edge of the caudal fin is serrated. Females usually have a paler coloration. Color morph: — P. macrognathus “Rainbow” – green-blue body. Yellow spots on the body and red fins.
An essential requirement for keeping is the presence of a large number of shelters and a green-brown algal carpet on the rocks. This species is considered very timid, which is probably explained by predation pressure from certain types of birds and otters. At the slightest threat, males hide in large caves, instantly abandoning their territories. Males and females come together only during the breeding period. Keeping more than one adult male in an aquarium is practically unrealistic. Temperature 25-27°C; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-20°.
Petrochromis orthognathus, polyodon, trewavasae.
Paracyprichromis brieni, Paracyprichromis nigripinnis. 
