Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Xenotilapia: Greek, xenos = strange + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5; dH range: ? - 20. Tropical; 25°C - ? (Ref. 2059); 3°S - 9°S
Africa: endemic to and widespread in Lake Tanganyika (Ref. 46829).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5632)
Common, sand-dwelling cichlid which forages in large schools over the sandy substrate; maximum depth is 40 metres, but during breeding period they are found in much shallower water (Ref. 46829). Very abundant; copepods, ostracods and shrimps have been found in the stomach (Ref. 53528). Breeds in colonies (lek breeder); polygamous maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 52921).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Breeds in colonies (lek breeder); polygamous maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 52921).
Konings, A., 1998. Tanganyika cichlids in their natural habitat. Cichlid Press. 272 p. (Ref. 46829)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
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