Some folks think that all African cichlids come from Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, or Victoria. Truth is, there are a whole slew of interesting cichlids found beyond the boundaries of the African Great Lakes.

Currently I am keeping the following:

Chromidotilapia guntheri
Hemichromis sp. 'Kolente River'
Tilapia cf. deckerti 'large black'
Alcolapia alcalicus

and of course the ubiquitous Pelvicachromis pulcher.

Anyone else keeping non-rift lake African cichlids? If so, post 'em up!

Trainer,

I have to tell ya.....I don't know that much about west africans.

You have any pics you can post?

T, not sure if this qualifies....
I have a Motoro Stingray. Are they west african? unsure

Mark,

I'm far from an expert in West Africans or any Africans for that matter. I've just always been drawn to the uncommon or unusual. They don't have to be pretty or expensive, just interesting.

Les, the motoro ray is from South America. Cool nonetheless though thumbs up

My apologies to those that have seen these pictures before - they are the only ones I have online at this time.

OK, so he doesn't really fit the profile of a westie as he's a Malagasy, but here is my male Ptychochromis grandidieri, called 'East Coast Gold'. I keep them in conditions similar to rifties. Some call them 'Madagascar convicts' as they are supposedly impossible to stop breeding once they start. Hasn't been my experience though bummed



This is my female Chromidotilapia guntheri. This species is interesting in that they are a paternal mouthbrooder, i.e., the male incubates the eggs. The broods are large, between 100-150. Once the fry are free-swimming for about a week or so, they are too large for the male to hold them all in his buccal cavity. At this time the female will help by taking fry in too. These fish are not very aggressive IME, regardless of the common name sometimes attributed to them - African Devil.



This is my male Hemichromis sp. 'Kolente River' male trying to entice the female to breed. A bit more peaceful jewel than the common jewels found in most LFSs, it's colors are more muted as well with most of the spangling being found on the head and front half of the body. Takes longer for them to set up house too.



This fish is a juvenile Tilapia cf. deckerti 'large black'. One of the reason's it is unique is that it is readily recognizable because of the elongated tilapia spot in the dorsal when young. But what I really find interesting about this fish is that it is found only in one place in the whole world, Lake Ejagham, Cameroon. But not only that, it has evolved into two dinstinct sub-populations: "large black" and "small black". They have evolved into these two distinct forms to better exploit different niches in their environment. Good reading for those who are interested here: http://hcgs.unh.edu/staff/kocher/pdfs/Schliewen2001.pdf





These guys are interesting as well. Alcolapia alcalicus is found in Lake Natron in Tanzania. Lake Natron is a volcanic lake where the pH can reach 10.5 and the water temperature seasonally reaches 120F! Luckily these conditions do not have to be met in captivity to keep this fish happy. I bred this fish in 8.2pH, 15dGH, 78F water. Sloooowwww growers.





I'll see if I can dig up some more. I know I have a few kicking around...

WOW, Those are some really cool species. And like you said very interesting.

Sometimes its the uncommon species that are the real jewels!!! wink