1. The Rock-Dwellers
This is the most diverse group . They are generally cave-spawners and substrate-oriented.
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Genera: Altolamprologus, Chalinochromis, Julidochromis, Lamprologus, Lepidiolamprologus, Neolamprologus, Telmatochromis, Variabilichromis.
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Speciality: They are "architects" of the lake, often living in tight crevices or even empty snail shells (shell-dwellers). Altolamprologus has a unique flat body to reach into cracks.
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Diet: Primarily Carnivores/Invertivores (feeding on small crustaceans, insect larvae, or other fish fry).
2. The Grazers
These are the colorful, highly active cichlids famous among hobbyists.
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Genera: Tropheus, Petrochromis, Simochromis, Pseudosimochromis, Interochromis, Lobochilotes.
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Speciality: Known for complex social hierarchies and high aggression. They have specialized "chisel-like" teeth for scraping rocks.
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Diet: Herbivores . They spend all day grazing on algae and the microorganisms living within it.
3. The Sand-Sifters
These fish are found in the vast sandy plains of the lake.
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Genera: Xenotilapia, Callochromis, Enantiopus, Cardiopharynx, Ectodus, Lestradea.
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Speciality: They have highly sensitive mouths and often large eyes for spotting predators in the open. They "sift" sand through their gills to find food.
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Diet: Benthivores/Invertebrate eaters (finding tiny organisms buried in the sand).
4. The Open-Water Schoolers
Often called "Sardine Cichlids."
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Genera: Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis.
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Speciality: Unlike most cichlids, these stay in the mid-water column in massive schools. They are mouthbrooders that spawn in open water.
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Diet: Planktivores (feeding on tiny zooplankton drifting in the water).
5. The Deep-Water & Large Predators
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Genera: Cyphotilapia (Frontosa), Bathybates, Boulengerochromis, Benthochromis, Trematocara.
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Speciality: Boulengerochromis microlepis is the largest cichlid in the world (reaching nearly 3 feet). Cyphotilapia live in deep, dim water and have a distinctive forehead hump.
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Diet: Piscivores (Fish-eaters).
6. The Featherfins
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Genera: Ophthalmotilapia, Cyathopharynx, Cunningtonia.
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Speciality: Males grow incredibly long, flowing pelvic fins with "egg spots" at the tips to trick females during mating. They build large sand craters (bowers) to attract mates.
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Diet: Plankton and Diatoms.
7. The Goby Cichlids
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Genera: Eretmodus, Spathodus, Tanganicodus.
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Speciality: They live in the "surge zone" where waves crash. They have reduced swim bladders so they can stay heavy on the bottom and "hop" between rocks.
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Diet: Herbivores/Invertivores (picking small organisms out of the algae).
8. Specialized Hunters
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Perissodus & Plecodus: These are "Scale-eaters." They have specialized asymmetrical jaws specifically designed to rip scales off the sides of other fish.
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Gnathochromis: Deep-water specialists with highly protractile (extendable) mouths to suck up prey from the mud.