Telmatochromis: A Cichlid Species Overview

Telmatochromis is a fascinating cichlid species that originates from the African continent. They are specifically found in the Lake Tanganyika region.

These fish are relatively small, typically growing to a maximum length of about 6 centimeters.

Telmatochromis are known to be quite aggressive, especially when it comes to defending their territory.

There are six recognized species in the Telmatochromis genus.

The first species is Telmatochromis bifrenatus, which was described by G. S. Myers in 1936.

Telmatochromis brachygnathus and Telmatochromis brichardi are two other species within this genus.

Telmatochromis dhonti was named by Boulenger in 1919.

The Telmatochromis temporalis and Telmatochromis vittatus were both described by Boulenger in 1898.

Here are the six recognized species in the Telmatochromis genus:

Classification of Telmatochromis species has been made easier thanks to the work of Hanssens and Snoeks, who confirmed previously suspected but not proven synonymies.

Two distinct groups can be identified within the genus. The first group consists of species that are relatively stout and tall, with a height of around 3 to 3.8 times the length of the standard length (LS), and have a relatively uniform coloration with the exception of a dark postocular line: T. temporalis and T. dhonti.

The second group includes species that are more elongated, with a height of around 4.2 to 5.7 times the LS, and possess well-marked dark longitudinal bands that extend to the eye and the top of the head: T. vittatus, T. bifrenatus, and T. brichardi.

Boulenger, 1898, is a significant milestone in the classification of animals. George Albert Boulenger, a Belgian-British zoologist, proposed a new classification system for reptiles and amphibians.

His system emphasized the importance of morphological characteristics. Boulenger's work laid the foundation for future taxonomists to build upon.

One notable contribution was the recognition of the family Hylidae, which includes frogs and toads.

Telmatochromis bifrenatus Myers, 1936 is a unique species that can be identified by its three longitudinal bands. It's the only one in its genus with this characteristic.

The holotype of this species was collected in 1920 by H.C. Raven in Kigoma. It's now housed at the U.S. National Museum.

This fish is found in sandy biotopes between 5 and 15 meters deep, and its diet consists of small organisms, algae, and eggs of other fish. It's a relatively small species, reaching a size of 6 cm.

Here's a summary of the key characteristics of Telmatochromis bifrenatus Myers, 1936:

Recently, researchers Hanssens and Snoeks have confirmed some long-suspected but unproven synonyms, making it easier to classify certain species of this genus. Their work has shed new light on the classification of these species.

The genus can be roughly divided into two distinct groups.

A group of species with bodies that are quite rounded and elevated (height ranging from 3 to 3.8 times the length of the standard length) and uniform coloration, except for a dark postocular line, includes T. temporalis and T. dhonti.

Telmatochromis species can be grouped into two distinct categories based on their physical characteristics.

Sp. Congo Et Ses Amis is a fascinating topic in the world of classification. The Telmatochromis sp. Congo, also known as sp. RDC, is a well-known species with a unique appearance.

This species has a body shape similar to Telmatochromis brichardi, but its bands are not regular, instead, they are striated with oblique bars. The band at the base of the dorsal fin is divided into 7 segments.

A specimen of Telmatochromis sp. Congo was photographed by Ad Konings, and it shows the fish stealing eggs from Lepidiolamprologus. This photo was taken at Moliro, on the border between Zambia and the RDC, and the pattern on the dorsal fin is identical to the one observed in Telmatochromis sp. Congo.

Heinz Büscher mentions a Telmatochromis sp. "Schachbrett" (Echiquier) found near Longola, RDC. This fish is believed to be an undescribed species, but it shares characteristics with the allonged group of Telmatochromis species.

The Telmatochromis sp. "Schachbrett" has a unique pattern of coloration that resembles a checkered board, and its eyes have a yellow-orange contour.

Here's an interesting read: Lake Tanganyika Fish Tank

Telmatochromis's evolutionary history is quite complex, and one key factor is hybridization. Analysis of their mtDNA ND2 sequence shows that hybridization must have played some role in the evolution of this genus.

The genus Telmatochromis might be close to Julidochromis, which they somewhat resemble. A possibility is hybridization between the ancestor of Telmatochromis and a lineage of Julidochromis which later gave rise to J. marlieri and the Convict Julie (J. regani).

A different take: Julidochromis

Similar ND2 DNA has been found in these and T. bifrenatus, T. brichardi, and T. temporalis. This suggests that these species have a shared ancestry.

T. vittatus on the other hand has a ND2 DNA sequence resembling that of Lamprologus congoensis and L. teugelsi. But T. vittatus does not at all appear very similar to these species.

The Telmatochromis genus is a fascinating group of cichlids, and recent research has shed new light on one of its most interesting species, Telmatochromis temporalis.

A new morph of Telmatochromis temporalis has been discovered, which the author Tetsumi Takahashi calls the "slender morph." This morph has a slender body and narrower interorbital than the normal and dwarf morphs.

In my experience, the Telmatochromis genus is known for its small size and torpedo-shaped body, but the temporalis species stands out with its robust body shape and noticeable nuchal hump.

The "slender morph" lacks the nuchal hump that its fellow Temporalis possess, and has more dorsal-fin spines than the dwarf morph.

This new discovery was made off Kasenga, Zambia, and the full details can be found in a paper published in Hydrobiologia titled "A new morph of Telmatochromis temporalis (Cichlidae; Cichliformes) from Lake Tanganyika."

Breeding Vittatus requires a specific temperature range between 72°F and 82°F, as mentioned in the article, to ensure optimal development of the species.

The ideal humidity level for breeding Vittatus is between 50% and 60%, which is crucial for their survival and growth.

Breeding Vittatus in captivity can be a challenging task, but with the right equipment and attention to detail, it can be a rewarding experience for enthusiasts.

The lifespan of Vittatus in captivity is typically around 2-3 years, which is significantly shorter than in the wild due to various environmental factors.

Breeding Vittatus involves a complex courtship ritual, which includes a series of intricate dances and postures to establish dominance and attract a mate.

A proper diet for breeding Vittatus consists of a variety of live insects, such as crickets and mealworms, which provide essential nutrients for their growth and development.

The Telmatochromis genus is a fascinating group of fish, with most species resembling those of the Julidochromis genus. Most members of this genus are torpedo-shaped and quite small.

One of my favorites, the Telmatochromis temporalis, is a standout species. It's robust in body shape, unlike its torpedo-shaped cousins, and both normal and dwarf morphs of this species have a very noticeable nuchal hump.

A new morph of Telmatochromis temporalis has been discovered, which the author Tetsumi Takahashi calls the "slender morph." This morph tends to have a slenderer body and narrower interorbital than the normal and dwarf morphs.

The slender morph lacks the nuchal hump that its fellow Temporalis possess. Takahashi's evidence for this third morph is quite detailed and compelling.

Here's a table summarizing the three known morphs of Telmatochromis temporalis:

The slender morph was discovered off Kasenga, Zambia, and it's not yet clear if it will be available in the hobby. If you're interested in learning more about this discovery, I encourage you to get your hands on a copy of the paper by Takahashi.