Ophthalmotilapia ventralis Care Guide
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis is a featherfin cichlid from the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, a plankton-feeder and maternal mouthbrooder.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Boulenger in 1898. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and known only from the southern end of the lake. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 15 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Ophthalmotilapia
- Scientific name: Ophthalmotilapia ventralis
- Described by: Boulenger, 1898
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and restricted to the southern end of the lake. According to FishBase it is a benthopelagic fish occurring over a depth range of about 2 to 10 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (FishBase records 23-25 °C)
- pH: 8.5-9.2 (FishBase records 7.5-8.0)
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 7-11 years
Diet
According to FishBase, Ophthalmotilapia ventralis feeds on microorganisms drifting in plankton clouds. In the aquarium small frozen and prepared foods offered in the water column suit this plankton-feeding habit.
Compatibility
This semi-aggressive featherfin uses the middle of the tank and is best kept in groups. Suitable companions include Cyprichromis and Cyphotilapia, while aggressive Mbuna and Tropheus should be avoided.
Breeding
According to FishBase, females brood their young in the mouth; eggs from the cleavage phase and larvae of up to about 1.97 cm are mouthbrooded by females ranging from roughly 6.5 to 7.5 cm standard length.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis Breeding Guide
Overview
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis is a Lake Tanganyika featherfin and a maternal mouthbrooder. Males build sand bowers or carry sand onto flat rock to construct a nest, displaying intense colour to attract females. The egg-dummy lappets on the pelvic fins of this genus are unique among the Great Lake cichlids.
Sexing
Males are larger and more colourful, with longer fins than females, particularly the ventral (pelvic) fins that carry the yellow paddle-tipped filaments. Females are smaller and plainer.
Conditioning
Condition the group on high-quality foods. Keep several females with a single male; usually only one male should be housed per tank unless the aquarium is very large, since displaying males are aggressive at the nest.
Breeding Setup
A large tank with open sandy areas is essential, with a base footprint such as 135 x 45 x 37.5 cm (about 230 litres) suggested. Provide a deep sand bed for the bower, or flat rock if the male prefers to build there. Maintain pH about 7.5-9.0, hardness 8-25 dH and a temperature of roughly 23-27 C (73-81 F).
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male excavates a crater in the sand or builds a nest on rock, then displays. The egg-shaped lappets at the ends of his pelvic fins act as egg dummies; the female, deceived into snapping at them near the male's vent, takes up sperm and fertilises the eggs already held in her mouth, mirroring the function of haplochromine anal-fin egg spots.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the eggs for about three to four weeks and does not feed during this period before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii and crushed spirulina flake from the day they are released.
Common Challenges
Male aggression makes a single male per tank advisable unless space is exceptional, and several females spread out his attention. A large open sand footprint and stable warm, hard, alkaline water are required for the bower display and brooding to succeed.