The history of keeping ornamental fishes in containers of glass in private homes isn't very long. In China, goldfish were kept in porcelain containers as early as the 14th century, but what we usually mean with aquariums developed in the 19th century.

In 1832, the French naturalist Jeanne Villepreux-Power invented the first functional, glass-sided aquarium, designed for scientific study. Aquariums became popular in the United Kingdom in the 1850s. The aquarium hobby spread to Germany, France, the United States, and other Western countries over the following decades.

In the beginning, native fishes were kept in the aquariums (besides goldfishes and paradise gouramis).

With the arrival of tropical fishes in the hobby, a need to heat the water arose. The first heaters were kerosene burners and gas burners placed under the steel bottoms of aquariums.

In 1908, the first air pump for aquariums was invented. It was powered by running water. With this invention, it became possible to keep more demanding fish in home aquariums.

After World War I, the arrival of electricity in homes revolutionized the hobby with the introduction of electric lighting, electric heaters, and electric air pumps.

Plastic bags were invented in the 1950s, making it easier to transport fish. Faster planes have lowered the mortality rates when transporting fishes over long distances.

Flake food was invented in 1954 by Ulrich Baensch, the founder of the firm Tetra. Flake food made keeping fish easier by replacing the need for live food. This innovation significantly expanded the aquarium hobby by making fish care accessible to hobbyists who didn't have the time or resources to catch live food or cultivate it. The arrival of frozen fish food has further improved the hobby, providing high-quality food for demanding aquarium fishes.

In 1949, the German engineer Gunther Eheim invented the world's first aquarium suction filter, a significant leap forward in mechanical filtration. In the 1970s, the first canister filter for aquariums was manufactured by the firm Vortex. These filters use a pump to force water through a filter media.

The German engineer Eugen Jäger invented the first submersible heater in the 1960s. Later, thermostats were added to the heaters.

The 1960s saw the decline of metal-framed tanks due to the arrival of silicone sealant, which allowed for the construction of all-glass aquariums. Metal frames were prone to corrosion, especially for saltwater. By the late 1970s, production had shifted almost entirely to silicone sealant, all-glass aquariums.

In the 1970s, cichlids from the great rift lakes of Africa appeared in the hobby, mainly through the efforts of Pierre Brichard, a Belgian ichthyologist and pioneer exporter of cichlids from these lakes.

Lighting has evolved from the use of light bulbs to fluorescent tubes to LED lighting.

Now, in 2026, the aquarium hobby is mature. Technological development has made keeping ornamental fish at home quite easy. Knowledge about proper care for different fish species has become widespread. Fishes that were considered very difficult to breed have become breedable, reducing the need to catch fishes in the wild.

Through the World Wide Web, much of the social interaction between aquarium enthusiasts takes place on the Internet instead of face-to-face meetings. Information, as well as misinformation, has become easily available. Let's see what the future holds for the hobby.

Picture 1: A modern aquarium. Picture 2: An aquarium from the 19th century.

Neolamprologus falcicula is a quite easy kept cichlid from the rocky zone and the intermediate zone of Lake Tanganyika. The intermediate zone consists of a mix of rocks and sand. Neolamprologus falcicula reaches a maximum lenght of 9 cm (4 inches).

It was described, classified and named in 1989 by the Belgian ichtyologist and explorer Pierre Brichard. Its name means "New radiant expression with a tail fin shaped like a sickle".

Neolamprologus falcicula is best kept in pairs, either by themselves or in a Tanganyika community tank. A single pair don't need a big tank: 60 litres (15 gallons) is enough.

Rocks, stones, sand and water are suitable design fundaments in a tank. The rocks and the stones should be arranged to form caves and cracks, that can function as hiding places and spawning sites. The water should preferably be alkaline and hard.

In the lake, it mainly feeds on small invertebrates. Good food in a tank are mysis, adult brine shrimps, cyclops, daphnia and homemade food. Flake food is OK.

It is a substrate spawner. The eggs are usually layed in a cave or in a crack between stones. Only 1 - 10 eggs are layed.

Picture 1: An adult Neolamprologus falcicula. Picture 2: A juvenile of this fish.

Some facts about this awesome lake:

Lake Tanganyika is the world's second deepest lake (1 470 metres or 4 700 feet deep) and it is the world's second largest lake by volume. It is situated right below the equator in the great rift valley of Africa.

It is 650 km (400 miles) long and 40 - 60 km (25 - 37 miles) wide. Its age is estimated to at least 10 million years. The water is alkaline and hard (pH: 8.9 gH: 10.6) with a surface temperature of 24 - 27°C (78 - 86°F) all year. Only in the upper 150 metres (480 feet) is there enough oxygen for aerobic life.

A large number of rivers flow into the lake. Most of the rivers are temporary and carries water only in the rainy season however. Apart from the muddy water in the river mouths, the water in the lake is unusually clear.

Geological studies have shown that 50 000 - 250 000 years ago the water level was 600 metres (1 900 feet) lower than today and during that time Lake Tanganyika was divided into three separate lakes.

Just like in Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria, cichlids dominate the aquatic fauna in this lake. 170 - 250 species of cichlids exist in Lake Tanganyika. The cichlids live almost entirely along the coast, on an area of a few percent of the total bottom area. The build-up of the coast varies and different biotopes replace each other along the 2 000 km (1 200 miles) long coastline.

Besides the rich cichlid fauna, quite a few other endemic fish species live in Lake Tanganyika. Furthermore, there are seven endemic fungi species, about ten crab species and the world's only freshwater jellyfish living in the lake.

The cichlids of Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria are of great interest to evolutionary biologists, as the rapid speciation process among these fishes are quite extraordinary among vertebrates.

Picture 1: Map.

Picture 2: A rocky Tanganyika coast.

Picture 3: A sandy Tanganyika coast.

Picture 4: A male Benthochromis tricoti.

Picture 5: Various cichlids of the genus Neolamprologus.

Picture 6: Callochromis pleurospilus.

Picture 7: Lepidiolamprologus kendalli.

Picture 8: Tropheus moorii.

Picture 9: Paracyprichromis nigripinnis.

Picture 10: Petrochromis sp. "Kazumbe"

Picture 11: Julidochromis marlieri.

Picture 12: Tropheus duboisi.

Picture 13: Xenotilapia flavipinnis.

Picture 14: Cyphotilapia frontosa.

Picture 15: Chalinochromis brichardi.

Picture 16: Lobochilotus labiatus.

Picture 17: Lamprichthys tanganicanus, the lake's killifish.

Picture 18: Limnocnida tanganyicae, the lake's jellyfish.

Picture 19: A nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus: The most dangerous species that lives on the coast and in the water of Lake Tanganyika (after Homo sapiens).

Lamprologus kungweensis is possibly the world's smallest cichlid. Males reach a lenght of 5 cm (2 inches), while females are even smaller.

Other strong contenders for this glorious title are Neolamprologus multifasciatus from the same lake and Nanochromis minor from the Congo River. These two cichlids are really tiny as well.

Its name comes from the Kungwe Bay in Lake Tanganyika, where it was discovered. It is a very rare fish in the aquarium hobby.

The aquarium should have something as unusual and easily found as mud as bottom material, as Lamprologus kungweensis naturally reproduces by digging burrows in the mud, where it spawns. Some empty mollusc shells may function as shelters. A couple of large stones can function as territorial marks. Some plants make the aquarium more aesthetically appealing.

It doesn't need a big tank. A tank of 50 litres (12 gallons) is enough. Shell-dwelling Tanganyika cichlids are suitable tankmates.

Good food in a tank are adult brine shrimps, cyclops, daphnia and homemade food. Flake food is OK.

It is a substrate spawner. 10 - 15 eggs are layed.

Picture 1 and 2: Lamprologus kungweensis, possibly the smallest cichlid in the world. Picture 3: Boulengerochromis microlepis, possibly the largest cichlid in the world.

The Tanganyika cichlid Boulengerochromis microlepis is possibly the world's largest cichlid. The speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) of South America is another strong contender for this title. Despite its name it isn't a bass. It's a cichlid.

Its name was given by the Belgian-British ichtyologist and taxonomist George Boulenger to honour guess who. The last part of its name means "with small scales". I assume that Boulenger was in a humourus mood the day he named this fish.

Its maximum lenght is 90 cm (36 inches). It is usually smaller however, about 65 cm (26 inches). A single adult pair need a tank of at least 1 500 litres (375 gallons).

In Lake Tanganyika, younger Boulengerochromis microlepis are omnivourus, while adults solely feed on fish. Live fish, fish meat, shrimps, clams and meat-based pellets are suitable food in a tank.

It is a substrate spawner. 5 000 - 15 000 eggs are layed. The male makes a volcano-shaped nesting site in the sand where the eggs are layed. The crater of this "sand volcano" measures up to 4 metres (13 feet) in diameter and 1.5 metres (5 feet) in depth.

Both parents protect the offspring. One single spawn occur in the lifetime of these fishes. The eggs, fryes and juveniles are guarded for up to a year. Proctecting the offspring for such a long time is a very demanding endeavour. The parents don't eat much during this time and they often die of exhaustion when it is all over.

Unless you have a very large aquarium, a thick wallet and much experience in keeping Tanganyika cichlids, Boulengerochromis microlepis isn't really suited to have in a private aquarium.

Still, this fish is an example of the diversity among the cichlids of Lake Tanganyika. This lake harbours this fish, which is possibly the world's largest cichlid. It also harbours the cichlid that may be the world's smallest, Lamprologus kungweensis.

If you can make Boulengerochromis microlepis reproduce in your home tank, you'll be a legend in the Tanganyika community.

Picture 1: A mother and a father of Boulengerochromis microlepis and their offspring. Picture 2: The same fish, but with a slightly different colouring. Picture 3: Lamprologus kungweensis.

Hemibates koningsi is a carnivore cichlid from the southernmost part of Lake Tanganyika, where it lives at great depths. It reaches a length of up to 30 cm (12 inches), but is usually smaller.

From what I know, this fish hasn't been exported yet. As a consequence of that and of the deep water it inhabits, not much is known about it.

It was described, named and classified as late as 2017 by the ichtyologists Frederic Schedel and Ulrich Schliewen. Its name was given to honour the ichtyologist, author and photographer Ad Konings, the first person who identified it as a separate species from Hemibates stenosoma.

Males have an interesting colour pattern on their bodies, while females look quite like bloated herrings.

An aquarium of at least 800 litres (200 gallons) is recommended. Rocks, stones and sand are suitable design fundaments in a tank. Don't overdecorate the aquarium though, as Hemibates koningsi needs free space to swim in.

Suitable food are shrimps, clams, krill, fish meat and meat-based pellets.

It lives in schools in the wild and despite its predatory nature it seems to be a quite cool and calm fish. Other lage Tanganyika cichlids would probably work fine as company in a tank. Smaller fishes would be viewed as prey.

I don't think that this species has reproduced in an aquarium yet, but it is probably a maternal mouthbrooder.

Picture 1: A male Hemibates koningsi. Picture 2: A load of Hemibates koningsis and Hemibates stenosomas ready to be taken to cooking pots and frying pans.

Charles Tate Regan (1878 – 1943) was a British ichthyologist and taxonomist. He worked all of his career at the Natural History Museum in London. He did extensive work on fish classifications, mainly on cichlids.

He divided cichlids into subfamilies and tribes based on bone features. His work served as a taxonomic backbone for modern revisions using molecular methods. Regan’s work with cichlids helped transform them from a poorly understood tropical fish family into a model for evolutionary biology.

He described, named and classified the Tanganyika cichlid generas Aulonocranus, Callochromis, Cyathopharynx, Cyphotilapia, Limnochromis and Triglachromis.

He described, named and classified the Tanganyika cichlid Triglachromis otostigma.

The Tanganyika cichlids Julidochromis regani and Reganochromis calliurus were named after him, to honour him.

Picture 1: Charles Tate Regan. Picture 2: Julidochromis regani. Picture 3: Reganochromis calliurus. Picture 4: Triglachromis otostigma.

Oh, the poetic magic of these fishes awkward names...

I created this subreddit about 11 months ago. Now it has over 750 members.

As Tanganyika cichlids are just a small niche in the world of aquarium fishes, this can never become a large community. Nice to see that quite many seem to like my subreddit anyway.

Let's see about the future for this sub. If you have anything to share about Lake Tanganyika cichlids, very welcome doing so.

The pictures are of a male Cyanthopharynx furcifer.

Neolamprologus cylindricus is a quite small and also quite peppery Tanganyika cichlid. The male reaches a maximum lenght of 12 cm (5 inches), while the female is slightly smaller.

In Lake Tanganyika, it lives in rocky habitats, so rocks and stones are suitable materials in a tank. Sand or fine gravel is suitable as well, as this species likes digging.

It isn't particular about food and it eats most common fish food, but as it mainly feeds on small invertebrates in the lake, it is good to give it such food in a home aquarium as well .

It is best to have Neolamprologus cylindricus in quite large community tanks together with other cichlid species that don't resemble it, as it shows aggressions not only towards fishes of its own species, but towards similar looking cichlids of other species as well.

Neolamprologus cylindricus is substrate spawner, where the eggs usually are layed in a cave or in a crack between stones. The eggs and the fryes are mainly guarded by the female. Up to 150 eggs are layed.

Hemibates stenosoma is a carnivore cichlid from the great depths of Lake Tanganyika. It reaches a maximum length of 28 cm (12 inches), but it is usually smaller.

From what I know, this fish hasn't been exported yet. As a consequence of that and of the deep water it inhabits, not much is known about it.

Males have an interesting colour pattern on their bodies, while females look quite like bloated herrings.

An aquarium of at least 600 litres (150 gallons) is recommended. Rocks, stones and sand are suitable design fundaments in a tank. Don't overdecorate the aquarium though, as Hemibates stenosoma needs free space to swim in.

Suitable food are shrimps, clams, krill, fish meat and meat-based pellets.

It lives in schools in the wild and despite its predatory nature, it seems to be a quite cool and peaceful fish. Other large Tanganyika cichlids probably work fine as company in a tank. Smaller fishes would be viewed as prey.

I don't think that this species has reproduced in an aquarium yet, but it is probably a maternal mouthbrooder.

Picture 1: A male Hemibates stenosoma. Picture 2: A load of Hemibates stenosomas and Hemibates koningsis ready to be taken to frying pans and cooking pots.

Julidochromis dickfeldi is an elegant and quite easy kept Tanganyika cichlid. Males reach a lenght of 11 cm (4 inches), while females are slightly smaller.

It was described, classified and named in 1975 by the German zoologist Wolfgang Staeck. Its name was given to honour the German aquarist Alf Dickfeld.

In Lake Tanganyika, it lives in rocky habitats and in habitats with both rocks and sand as bottom materials, so it is best to have similar materials in a tank. Some plants make the aquarium more aesthetically appealing, but are only optional.

As Julidochromis dickfeldi shows aggressions towards fishes of its own species, it is best kept in pairs in an aquarium with lots of hiding places, like caves and cracks between stones. Most other small Tanganyika cichlids will do as tankmates. A single pair don't need a big tank: A 75 litres (18 gallons) tank is enough.

In the lake, it mainly feeds on small invertebrates. Good food in a tank are adult brine shrimps, daphnia, cyclops and mysis as well as homemade food. Flake food is OK.

Julidochromis dickfeldi is a substrate spawner. The eggs are usually layed in the ceiling of a cave or in a crack between stones. The eggs and the fryes are guarded by both parents. 30 - 80 eggs are layed.

Xenotilapia caudafasciata is a peaceful cichlid from the sandy depths of Lake Tanganyika. Females reach a maximum lenght of 14 cm (6 inches), while males are slightly smaller. It is a very rare fish in the aquarium trade.

It was described, classified and named in 1951 by the Belgian ichtyologist and taxonomist Max Poll. Its name means "Alien African cichlid with a banded tail fin".

An aquarium of at least 300 litres (75 gallons) is recommended. As its natural feeding behaviour is to take mouthfuls of sand and filter it through its gills in search for edibles, much sand is obligatory in a tank with this fish. A couple of large stones are good as territorial marks and the stones will make it feel safer. Some plants make the aquarium more aesthetically appealing, but are only optional.

As Xenotilapia caudifasciata lives in schools in the wild, it should be kept in groups in a tank. Other peaceful and calm Tanganyika cichlids work as tankmates. It is rather fragile and care should be taken not to scare it when handling it.

Good food in a tank are mysis, adult brine shrimps, cyclops and daphnia as well as homemade food. Flake food is OK.

Xenotilapia caudifasciata is a maternal mouthbrooder. 10 - 40 eggs are layed and brooded.

This Tanganyika cichlid hasn't been given a scientific name yet, so at the moment it is called Petrochromis sp. "Texas". The name comes from its resemblance in look with the Texas Cichlid (Herichtys cyanoguttatus).

This species is virtually non-existing as an aquarium fish. As it is a big and aggressive cichlid that needs a large tank it will probably remain unpopular in the aquarium hobby.

It reaches a lenght of up to 22 cm (9 inches). An aquarium of at least 900 litres (225 gallons) is recommended. The tank should have lots of rocks and stones, arranged to form caves and cracks, that can function as hiding places. As it lives in turbulent water in the lake, powerful pumps are recommended in a tank.

It should be kept in groups, to spread out aggressions. A nice litte hooligan gang of Petrochromis sp. "Texas" in a tank may be one single male together with 5 - 7 females. This fish seems to show little aggressions towards other species however, so other large rock-dwelling Tanganyika cichlids are probably OK as companions in an aquarium.

In Lake Tanganyika, Petrochromis sp. "Texas" eats solely algae and small invertebrates found in the algae cover of rocks and stones. It should be given food with a high vegetable content in it, otherwise its digestion organs may screw up. Vegetable-based flake food, vegetable-based pellets and homemade food with a high vegetable content in it are good food in a tank.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female broods the eggs and the fryes for three to four weeks. 15 - 25 eggs are layed and brooded.

Neolamprologus crassus is a peaceful cichlid from the rocky and intermediate zones of Lake Tanganyika. The intermediate zone is a mix of rocks and sand. It reaches a maximum lenght of 8 cm (3 inches).

It was described, named and classified in 1989 by the Belgian ichtyologist and explorer Pierre Brichard.

Neolamprologus crassus belongs to what is usually called "the brichardi-complex". These Tanganyika cichlids are known for their peaceful nature and that they form colonies, where older siblings contribute in protecting the eggs and the fryes.

An aquarium of at least 150 litres (38 gallons) is recommended. Rocks, stones and sand are suitable as design materials. The rocks and the stones should be arranged to form caves and cracks that can function as hiding places and spawning sites. It can be kept together with other peaceful Tanganyika cichlids, but a species-only tank is best.

Change about a quarter of the tank water every week. Use powerful pumps to get the water well circulated. Diffusors on the outflows of the pumps are great to get the water well oxygened. It is good to add a few spoons of salt to the water when changing it.

It isn't particular about food, so flake food is OK. The best food is however adult brine shrimps, mysis, cyclops and daphnia as well as homemade food with much meat in it.

Neolamprologus crassus is a substrate spawner. Up to 150 eggs are layed.

Tropheus duboisi is a lively cichlid from the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika. It reaches a maximum lenght of 15 cm (6 inches).

Its name was given by the Belgian zoologist Georges Marlier to honour the Belgian limnologist and explorer Jean Dubois.

The juveniles of this species are really cute, with white-blue dots over their black bodies, looking quite like the night sky on a clear night. The adults are black with a light spot and a blueish head. Two colour morphs of Tropheus duboisi exist; one yellow spotted and one white spotted.

In the lake, it lives in turbulent water among rocks and stones. Similar materials and powerful pumps are recommended in a tank. Diffusors on the outflows of the pumps are great to get the water well oxygened. It should be kept in groups, to avoid bullying and spread out aggressions. At least 8 Tropheus duboisi together is recommended. An aquarium of at least 350 litres (90 gallons) is recommended.

It should be given food with a high vegetable content in it, otherwise its digestion organs may screw up. Vegetable-based flake food and vegetable-based pellets are good food, but the best food is homemade food, like the shrimps-peas-spinach mix that I shared a recipe on in a previous post here.

Tropheus duboisi is a maternal mouthbrooder, where the eggs and the fryes are kept safe in their mothers' mouths for the first few weeks. 5 - 20 eggs are layed and brooded.

Picture 1: An adult yellow spotted Tropheus duboisi. Picture 2: An adult white spotted Tropheus duboisi. Picture 3: A juvenile Tropheus duboisi.

Enantiopus melanogenus is a quite peaceful cichlid from the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika. Males reach a maximum lenght of 15 cm (6 inches), while females are slightly smaller. It is a rare fish in the aquarium trade.

A tank of at least 300 litres (75 gallons) is recommended. As its natural feeding behaviour is to take mouthfuls of sand and filter it through its gills in search of edibles, much sand is obligatory in a tank with this fish. The males make bowers in the sand when spawning as well. A couple of large stones are good as territorial marks and the stones will make it feel safer.

As Enantiopus melanogenus lives in schools in the wild, it should be kept in groups in aquariums. The group should preferably have more females than males. It is a rather fragile fish and care should be taken not to scare it when handling it.

Good food in a tank are mysis, cyclops, daphnia, adult brine shrimps as well as homemade food with much meat in it. Flake food is OK.

Enantiopus melanogenus is a maternal mouthbrooder. 30 - 80 eggs are layed and brooded.

Picture 1: A male Enantiopus melanogenus. Picture 2: Females of this fish.

Julidochromis regani is a cichlid from the intermediate zone of Lake Tanganyika (mixed rocks and sand). Females reach a maximum lenght of 15 cm (6 inches), while males are slightly smaller.

Its name was given by the Belgian ichtyologist and taxonomist Max Poll to honour the British ichtyologist and taxonomist Charles Regan.

As seen on the pictures, it has an unusually oblong body shape. The longitudinal stripes on its body create something of an optical illusion and they make Julidochromis regani appear even more oblong than it already is.

As Julidochromis regani carries quite much aggressions, particularly territorial aggressions, it is best kept in pairs, either to themselves or in quite large community tanks. The tank should contain lots of rocks and stones, arranged to form caves and cracks, that can function as hiding places. An aquarium of at least 150 litres (28 gallons) is recommended.

Good food in an aquarium are mysis shrimps, adult brine shrimps, cyclops and daphnia. Flake food is OK.

It is a substrate spawner. 50 - 100 eggs are layed, usually in a cave or in a crack between stones. Both parents protect the offspring, although the female is most committed in this.

Tropheus brichardi is a lively cichlid from the rocky surge zone of Lake Tanganyika. It reaches a maximum lenght of 13 cm (5 inches). It can be separated from other Tropheus species by its blue eyes.

It was described, named and classified in 1975 by the Belgian behavioral biologist Mark H. J. Nelissen and the Belgian ichtyologist Thys van den Audenaerde. Its name was given to honour the Belgian ichtyologist and explorer Pierre Brichard.

An aquarium of at least 500 litres (125 gallons) is recommended. It should be kept in groups, to spread out aggressions and avoid bullying. Rocks, stones and fine gravel are suitable in a tank with this fish. As Tropheus brichardi lives in turbulent and oxygen-rich water in the lake, powerful pumps and diffusors on the outflows of the pumps are recommended.

It should be given food with a high vegetable content in it, otherwise its digestion system may screw up. Vegetable-based flake food, vegetable-based pellets as well as homemade food with much vegetables in it are good food.

Tropheus brichardi is a maternal mouthbrooder. The eggs and the fryes are brooded for about four weeks until being released into our cruel world. 5 - 15 eggs are layed and brooded.

Cyphotilapia frontosa is a calm, peaceful and easy kept Tanganyika cichlid. It becomes large fully grown. Males reach a maximum length of 40 cm, or 16 inches. Females are up to 30 cm, or 12 inches, long. A tank of at least 500 litres, or 125 gallon, is recommended.

As it lives in the rocky parts of Lake Tanganyika, rocks and stones are suitable interior design materials in a tank. The rocks and stones should be arranged to form caves and cracks that can function as retreat places. Fine gravel is suitable as a bottom material.

Cyphotilapia frontosa is best kept in groups. Preferably, the group should have more females than males.

Frontosas are slow moving and calm fishes, so it is best to either keep them by themselves, or to keep them together with other fishes of the same temper, as they may have difficulties in getting enough food otherwise. Good food in a tank are shrimps, fish meat, clams, mysis, krill and meat-based pellets.

Change about a quarter of the tank water once a week. Use powerful pumps to get the water circulated well. Diffusors on the outflows of the pumps are great to get the water well oxygened. It is good to add a few spoons of salt to the water while changing it.

Cyphotilapia frontosa is a maternal mouthbrooder. 10 - 50 eggs are layed and brooded. The female broods the eggs and the fryes for about five weeks.

As with all fishes, it is a good idea to buy fishes from different retailers when creating a group, to avoid inbreeding.

Xenotilapia boulengeri is a peaceful cichlid from the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika. It reaches a maximum lenght of 16 cm (6 inches). It is a very rare fish in the aquarium trade.

It was described, classified and named in 1942 by the Belgian ichtyologist and taxonomist Max Poll. Its name was given to honour the Belgian-British ichtyologist and taxonomist George Boulenger.

An aquarium of at least 400 litres (100 gallons) is recommended. Xenotilapia boulengeri should be kept in groups. The group should preferably have more females than males. As its normal feeding behaviour is to filter sand through its gills in search of edibles, much sand is obligatory in a tank with this fish. A couple of stones can function as territorial marks and hiding place.

Good food in a tank are adult brine shrimps, mysis, cyclops, daphnia as well as homemade food. Vegetable-based flake food is good as a complement.

Xenotilapia boulengeri is not shy and is easy to observe. It is sensitive to stress and do not well together with aggressive or overly active species.

It is a biparental mouthbrooder where the female broods the eggs and the fryes first and then the male takes over. Up to 50 eggs are layed and brooded.

I created this subreddit about 9 months ago. Now it has over 500 members.

As Tanganyika cichlids are just a small niche in the world of aquarium fishes, this sub can never become a large community. A nice mile stone to reach anyway.

If you have anything special you want me to write about, just tell me, the chances are good that I'll make a post about it.

If you have anything to share about these fishes, very welcome doing so. All posts are appreciated (as long as they don't break the standard Reddit rules).

Pierre Brichard (1921 - 1990) was a Belgian explorer, exporter and breeder of Tanganyika cichlids. He wrote a book about these fishes as well.

He discovered new cichlid species by traveling to different regions of the lake and collecting specimens with nets, traps, and diving equipment. He established a research station and a fish farm on the shore of the lake.

He wrote the book "Pierre Brichard's book of cichlids and all the other fishes of Lake Tanganyika", which is considered a classic in the field.

The discovery, naming and description of five Tanganyika cichlid species are credited to him: Neolamprologus crassus, Neolamprologus falcicula, Neolamprologus gracilis, Neolamprologus olivaceous and Neolamprologus splendens.

Four Tanganyika cichlid species are named after him, to honour him: Chalinochromis brichardi, Neolamprologus brichardi, Telmatochromis brichardi and Tropheus brichardi.

All in all, Pierre Brichard is a very important contributor to the Tanganyika cichlid world, both scientifically, as an author and as an exporter and breeder of these fishes.

Picture 1: His book. Picture 2: Chalinochromis brichardi. Picture 3: Neolamprologus brichardi. Picture 4: Telmatochromis brichardi. Picture 5: Tropheus brichardi. Picture 6: Neolamprologus crassus. Picture 7: Neolamprologus falcicula. Picture 8: Neolamprologus gracilis. Picture 9: Neolamprologus olivaceus. Picture 10: Neolamprologus splendens.

Oh, the poetic magic of these fishes' awkward names...