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Lake Tanganyika 

The normal ebb and flow of species popularity continues with Tanganyikan cichlids.  A few odd ‘oldies’ have once again appeared and have been well received by hobbyists.  Other recently popular varieties, such as Petrochromis seem to be holding hobbyists’ interest.  Goby cichlids have also regained new popularity.  
 

Exported many times from Burundi several years ago, Opthalmotilapia heterodon is found in the northern end of the Lake.   This interesting fish is clearly different from the Op. ventralis form in the south.  Photo by T. Andersen.	Neolamprologus sp. cyngus was bred regularly some years ago before it disappeared from the supply lines.  When young, this fish sports a bright orange head.  Photo by A. Konings.
Lobochilotes labiates is found all around Lake Tanganyika.  However, juveniles are exported from Burundi by request and have appeared on importers’ lists again.  Photo by A. Konings.	One of the many Petrochromis exported from Zambia, P. sp. “orthognathus tricolor” from Chimba.  This fish is often sold as Petrochromis Tricolor.  Photo by A. Konings.

Lake Malawi

Small, captive raised, mbuna from Malawi are some of the most popular fishes for many beginning aquarists.  However, the next new trend for the advanced Malawi fan is unclear.  Some people seem to favor very large colorful Malawi cichlids, whether haplochromines or mbuna.  Others still prefer the large Aulonocara ‘peacock’ forms.  Time will only tell which will be the next fashionable Malawi cichlids.
 

Often difficult to collect in shallow waters, Protomelas sp. “spilonotus tanzania” from Njambe, Tanzania, is sometimes sold as “Insignus”. This fish generally colors up well in captive conditions, even freshly-caught individuals.	Several cichlids are exported seasonally from Tanzania.  There are a few confusing Nyassachromis species, this one is sold as Nyassachromis Likoma Blue, but may really be N. sp. “interuptus” Likoma.
Only the more colorful Lethrinops species are shipped from Lake Malawi.  This one from Manda, Tanzania is sold as Lethrinops Green Face and is often more than 5 inches in length.	A few individuals of a very large but unknown species arrived in the USA recently from Tanzania. This cichlid is perhaps Mylochromis melanotaenia sporting strong coloration.
Some of the predatory haplochromines are only caught in small numbers.  Here Hemitaeniochromis urotaenia, was imported from Tanzania. Usually only six to eight individuals are available at any given time.	Originally sold from Malawi as OB Mbenji Special Zebra, this Metriaclima mbenjii variety has been selectively bred in Florida to bring out strong reddish hues.

Lake Victoria

Great news for the Victorian cichlid enthusiast, and it has been a long time coming!  New collections of wild caught cichlids from Lake Victoria proper have recently occurred.  It has been nearly ten years since new wild material has been available from this Lake.  Many species populations are now such that normal collections are possible.  Of course these are some of the most common species of years past, but it is a start!  We can only hope that these new shipments will be well received and the exports will continue. 
 

Reportedly caught on the western side of Mwanza Gulf, this Pundamilia nyererei variety displays even brighter red hues when interacting with other males.	Territorial males Paralabidochromis sp. “rock kribensis” from Tanzania turn bright red with black markings when displaying to like individuals, losing the yellow-green hues.
Another species recently shipped from the wild, Lithochromis rufus (Red Pseudonigricans), is a rather large fish from Lake Victoria with a deep body profile.	A second nyererei-like species recently imported, Pundamilia pundamilia from Makobe Island. This fish sports scarlet anal and caudal fins, and alternating gray and black irregular barring on its flanks.

Neotropics

Just when you think you have seen it all before, new and very unusual cichlids appear from (this time) the New World.  It goes to show you that cichlid fauna still holds treasures in many unexplored corners of the world.  Will we find more novelties before their habitats are destroyed forever?  
 

Exported in small numbers now from southern Brazil, Australoheros tembe has arrived of late. This rheophile cichlid can be quite aggressive in an aquarium. Photo by O. Luncanus.

Collected near the city of Santarem on the Rio Tapajos, Brazil, Biotoecus opercularis is a delicate dwarf cichlid.  At first glance, one would not expect this fish to be from the New World. Photo by O. Lucanus.