Appearance: A smaller Cyprichromis reaching a maximum length of 10 cm.
Polymorphism: Males are polymorphic, meaning they can have either blue or yellow caudal (tail) fins.
Coloration: They have a matte yellow-brown head without the bright blue sheen typical of C. leptosoma.
Females: Usually beige to light brown with a yellowish anal fin.
Habitat (Biotop): Lives in schools in the open water along deep rocky shores at depths of 5–30 meters.
Distribution: Northern eastern shore of the lake, specifically around Kigoma (including Cape Bangwe) and south to Halembe.
Tank Size: Minimum 300 liters with plenty of open swimming space.
Social Structure: Best kept in groups of at least 3–4 males and an equal number of females. This setup allows for natural three-dimensional territorial behavior and helps distribute male aggression.
Temperament: Slightly less aggressive than C. leptosoma. They are generally safe for community tanks with other Tanganyikan cichlids (like sand-dwellers), provided they aren't paired with large predators.
Diet: Carnivorous planktivore. In the wild, they feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. In an aquarium, they require high-quality plankton-like foods.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooders. Males maintain territories in open water. Females collect fertilized eggs in their mouths; incubation lasts about three weeks. A typical clutch size is 8–15 eggs.