CICHLIDS OF LAKE TANGANYIKA.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
To be continued…
Genus Xenotilapia.
— Xenotilapia ornatipinnis [Boulenger, 1901] — Pearly Xenotilapia. Lake Tanganyika. 12 cm, females are smaller. The species name comes from the beautifully colored fins of the males. Eyes are relatively large, placed high on the head. The rear edge of the pelvic fins is elongated. Body coloration is silvery-beige with yellow-olive and green-white patterns. Three vertical rows of glowing dots on the flanks. Males are usually more brightly colored and feature yellow-green and white patterns on the dorsal and caudal fins.
A distinguishing feature of males is the presence of a horizontal silvery stripe in the middle part of the body, which serves as a recognition sign for females. Females lack such a stripe, but they have a recognition row on the dorsal fin consisting of 5-7 subtle black dots. Males have brighter fins with a yellow and black pattern. Females have silver-colored fins just like their body.
The aquarium should have a bottom made of fine or medium river sand. Inside, there should be a few rocks and as much open bottom area as possible. Plants are not damaged by the fish. In a sufficient volume, this species is best kept in a small group of approximately 6-7 fish. Such a group is enough to form harmonious pairs. They can also be kept in pairs, but preferably in a ratio of 1 male to 2 females. This small cichlid easily gets along with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids. Compatible with other Xenotilapia species.
Intraspecific aggression in males of this species is more of a ritual than actual combat. Females behave peacefully towards each other. The fish are timid and jumpy. The fish take food from the upper layers of the sandy bottom. The top layer of sand is taken into the mouth, edible fractions are filtered out, and the leftovers are discharged through the gills and back out through the mouth.
The fish tend to swim in a group, and only when one of the females matures does the dominant male begin to display aggression. This is usually aimed at “rival” males; everything generally goes peacefully with a display of flared fins.
Spawning takes place in an open area. The male may chase the female carrying eggs in her mouth, resulting in the loss of offspring. A sufficient number of hiding places for females is necessary. After releasing the fry, the female usually loses interest in the offspring and shows no care for them. Fry grow rapidly and have 3 dots in the dorsal fin. At a length of 4-5 cm, sex can be distinguished.
— Xenotilapia papilio [Buscher, 1990] — Tanganyikan Butterfly Xenotilapia. Lake Tanganyika. 10 cm. Unlike other Xenotilapia, this cichlid lives in a rocky biotope, although it chooses areas where stones are surrounded by sand. The head is flat and long with a small snout. Body color is grayish-beige with silvery-blue spots along the body.
Pelvic fins are yellow with individual black speckles; in other species, they are either purely yellow or purely blue. The pelvic fins, as well as the front part of the dorsal and anal fins, have varying degrees of yellow color. It features a marking of black and white spots on the dorsal fin.
All geographic variants of this species have yellow pelvic fins and carry a black spot on the dorsal fin, framed by white, white-blue, or blue dots. Moreover, in each geographic variant, this spot has a different shape and size — from a single spot to spots merging into a stripe. They do not have obvious sexual dimorphism, but mature females generally have a more rounded belly.
Color morphs: — X. papillo “Kanoni” – differs from the base species by yellowish fins without black spots. Dorsal and anal fins have a black rim; — X. papilio “Katete” – differs from the base species by a completely yellow dorsal fin. The lower part of the eyes is yellowish. The body is higher than in the base species. Pelvic fins are colored blue; — X. papilio “Sunflower” – differs from the base species by black spots on the dorsal fin. Pelvic fins are yellow without spots; — X. papilio “Sunflower Chituta” – differs by the absence of black spots in the dorsal fin, but has small blue spots, dark spots on the yellow pelvic fins, and a narrower body; — X. papillo “Tembwe” – one of the most beautiful races of the species. All fins are yellow with white and black spots; — X. papillo “Tembwe II” – also has a marking of black and white spots on the dorsal fin;
Displays aggressive intraspecific territorial behavior, which is especially evident during the spawning period. At the moment of spawning or preparation for it, males become irritable and chase all neighbors away from their territory, though without causing them injury. Only the place at the bottom of the aquarium is defended, and as soon as the fish swims higher into the middle layers, it ceases to interest the pursuer.
It is best to keep a group consisting of 5-8 individuals in a large aquarium. Pairs will form from this group. A newly formed pair can react very aggressively towards other inhabitants, and if they start chasing someone, it is better to move them to another tank. In the aquarium, set up rocks from individual large and small stones to create caves and hiding places, thereby reducing visibility between the fish, and pour a thin layer of fine sand at the base of the rocks.
In aquarium conditions, frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia, moina, artemia, corethra, and dry foods rich in spirulina can be used. Very sensitive to poor water quality, weekly water changes are required. Not recommended for beginners; this should not be the first Xenotilapia fish. Males usually grow faster than females. Pairs of these species can exist for a long time. As soon as juveniles reach 5 cm, they begin to form pairs, which means they will establish their territory and firmly defend it from conspecifics. Fish of other species are not bothered.
Spawning in the aquarium takes place in a quiet place, usually on sand, often near rocks. Spawning pits are not dug. Eggs are incubated in the mouth by both parents: the first 9-13 days by the female, and the remaining days by the male, to whom the larvae are transferred. At night or when the fry are in danger, they hide in the parents’ mouths. Fry grow quickly.
Xenotilapia sima, Xenotilapia spiloptera.
Xenotilapia melanogenys, nasus, nigrolabiata, ochrogenys. 
