Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Xenotilapia: Greek, xenos = strange + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 9.0; dH range: 10 - 25; depth range 3 - 40 m (Ref. 93988). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 12468); 6°S - 8°S
Africa: endemic to Lake Tanganyika, occurs between Tembwe (Deux) and Kanoni, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 46829, 52921).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.8 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 93987)
Found in deeper rocky habitat, in particular where rocks are covered with sand (Ref. 46829). Occurs at depths from 3 to 40 metres (Ref. 93988). Food consists of invertebrates which are extracted by filtering sediment through the gills (Ref. 46829), copepods, ostracods, insect larvae, filamentous algae and sand found in stomach (Ref. 93987, 93988). Territorial; biparental mouthbrooder; subadults live in small groups, larger individuals form pairs (Ref. 46829, 93988).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male and females are mouthbrooders.
Büscher, H.H., 1990. Xenotilapia papilio n. sp., ein neuer Cichlide aus dem Tanganjikasee (Cichlidae, Ectodini). D.A.T.Z. 43(5):289-293. (Ref. 93987)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
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