Enantiopus melanogenys Care Guide
Enantiopus melanogenys is a sand-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Males build large sand bowers to court females and the species is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
Enantiopus melanogenys is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It was described by Boulenger in 1898 and is now widely treated under the genus name Xenotilapia (as Xenotilapia melanogenys). The species lives over open sand, where foraging schools sift the substrate for small invertebrates. Males are noted for building broad sand pits, or bowers, used to attract females.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Enantiopus
- Scientific name: Enantiopus melanogenys
- Common synonyms: Xenotilapia melanogenys, Ectodus melanogenys
Habitat
The species is endemic to and widespread in Lake Tanganyika, recorded between roughly 3 and 9 degrees south. According to FishBase it is a freshwater, demersal fish found over sandy substrates to depths of about 40 metres. Sandy bottoms are central to its life history, as the fish both feed and breed on open sand.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L for a colony with adequate open sand
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: keep in colonies of 6 or more
- Substrate: deep fine sand for bower building
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
A wide, open sand floor matters more than tank height, because dominant males excavate large bowers during courtship.
Diet
Enantiopus melanogenys is a carnivorous benthic feeder. FishBase records a natural diet of copepods, ostracods and shrimps taken from the sand. In aquaria a varied menu of small frozen and prepared foods that sink to the substrate suits its feeding style.
Compatibility
The species is comparatively peaceful, though males defend their bowers during breeding. It occupies the bottom of the water column and is best matched with other open-water or sand-tolerant Tanganyikan cichlids such as Cyprichromis or Cyphotilapia. Aggressive rock-dwellers like Mbuna or Tropheus are unsuitable companions.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as a polygamous maternal mouthbrooder that breeds colonially. Males build and defend sand bowers within a lek; females that spawn carry the eggs and fry in the mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient. The species is collected for the aquarium trade.