Most these cichlids hail from the
Rift Lakes in Africa but some inhabit the Streams and Rivers in West Africa...
i'll start again with my favorite..
Lake Tanganyika
Microlepis
(aka. Yellow Cichlid or Emperor Cichlid)
Boulengerochromis microlepis is
a monster.... beleived to be the largest cichlid in the world... reaching
over 3 ft in length..... this monster from Lake Tanganyika is capable of
laying 5,000-10,000 eggs in one spawn..
this cichlid is obviously not that
popular in the hobby as they require huge aquariums.... but if it weren't
for this cichlids size this fish would be one of the most outstanding fish
in the hobby.... but the attraction to this fish for me is it's size and
beauty all rolled into one...
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Frontosa
(aka. Front or Frony)
This is probably one of the most
popular Lake Tanganyikan cichlids.... and to many it would also be the
ugliest Lake Tanganyikan cichlid... but this is it's most endearing feature...
the monster nuchel hump, the huge grumpy mouth and the big bold stripes.....
all this contributes to something that looks similar to your grandpa with
face paint on..... the Frony is quite a small fish compared to a certain
other fish from Lake Tanganyika.. but it's still classified as large
fish by many... a maximum length of 12" the Frony have the capability of
putting on some size....
Photo by Steve Thompson from the NSW Cichlid
Society Page
these next fish aren't really large...
some of them are actually the smallest cichlids
A.
Compressiceps (aka. Comp's)
Altolamprologus Compressiceps....
this fish is not really a Big Fish... though it's in here cause i think
it's cool.... and this is my web page so tough if u don't like it!!!.....
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Calvus
extremely similar to the Compressiceps,
Altolamprologus Calvus also is a small fish but it's in here cause it's
cool and it's related to the Compressiceps...
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Ocellatus
(aka. Shellies, Shell Dwellers)
these are one of the smallest cichlids
in the world with a maximum of about 2" ...and you need to be small to
live and breed in shells, as it's names states.... the main reason people
keep these wonderful fish is not for appearance or colour but the way they
live and act...... these fish are quite popular for the mere fact they
live in shells... i also think there pretty cool looking...
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Brevis
(aka. Shell Dweller or Shellies)
This is another shell dweller slightly
larger than the Ocellatus..i just love the look of these guy's... look
so big and mean and tough....
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Multifaciatus
(aka. Multi's, Shellies or Banded Shell Dweller)
This is the smallest known cichlid
at a maximum size of about 1.5".. this is also one of the more popular
shell dwellers
Photo from
The Cichlid Room Companion
Lake Malawi
Venustus
Livingstonii
Polystigma
D. Compressiceps
Background Photo by Tracie Alfieri