Xenotilapia ochrogenys Care Guide
Xenotilapia ochrogenys is a sand-dwelling Lake Tanganyika cichlid that forms groups over sandy bottoms and broods its young in the mouth.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Xenotilapia ochrogenys is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Boulenger in 1914. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it prefers areas with sandy substrates. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 11 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Xenotilapia
- Scientific name: Xenotilapia ochrogenys
- Described by: Boulenger, 1914
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, occurring roughly between 3°S and 9°S. It lives over open sandy bottoms in the lake's sandy bays and shallow zones, where it sifts the substrate for food.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
Xenotilapia ochrogenys is a carnivore that takes small invertebrates from the sand. A deep sand bed allows it to sift the substrate naturally; in the aquarium it accepts small frozen and prepared foods offered near the bottom.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, bottom-oriented group fish best kept in shoals of six or more. Suitable companions include open-water Cyprichromis and larger species such as Cyphotilapia, as well as other Xenotilapia. Aggressive rock-dwellers such as Mbuna and Tropheus should be avoided.
Breeding
According to FishBase, the species is a mouthbrooder in which the female broods the eggs and larvae in her mouth, with larvae carried up to about 1.2 cm before release.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Xenotilapia ochrogenys Breeding Guide
Overview
Xenotilapia ochrogenys is a sand-sifting cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it favours sandy substrates (Wikipedia). The genus Xenotilapia contains both maternal-only and biparental mouthbrooders, and peer-reviewed phylogenetic work classifies X. ochrogenys as a maternal mouthbrooder (peer-reviewed study of Xenotilapia parental care). It feeds by taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting them through the gills.
Sexing
Males grow larger than females and develop stronger fin colouration; ripe females become rounded in the belly when carrying mature eggs. As reliable visual sexing is otherwise limited, breeders are typically obtained by growing on a group.
Conditioning
Condition the group on a varied diet of small invertebrate foods that suits a micropredatory sand-sifter, keeping water hard and alkaline in line with the species' Tanganyikan origin.
Breeding Setup
Provide an open sandy substrate with some rockwork for orientation. Because this is a maternal mouthbrooder spawned in groups, a good-sized school of around 10 fish, skewed toward females, is advised; females may abort their first one or two spawns through inexperience or aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a maternal mouthbrooder, the female takes up the fertilised eggs and incubates the entire brood herself, without transferring it to a male (peer-reviewed study). Spawning takes place over the sand within the group's territory.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the eggs and larvae in her mouth throughout incubation and does not feed during this period. Once released, fry of sand-dwelling Xenotilapia generally accept fine first foods such as brine shrimp nauplii. Precise egg counts for X. ochrogenys were not confirmed in a whitelisted source and are omitted.
Common Challenges
Note: this species is a maternal (not biparental) mouthbrooder, which contrasts with several of its biparental congeners. First-time females aborting broods and the need for a settled, female-heavy group are the main practical hurdles.