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Lake Tanganyika 

Exports from Lake Tanganyika continue to flow, although it seems like no one is working overtime. Collections from the southern Congo coasts by Zambians have slowed considerably due to high fuel prices and long distance motoring by boat. However, exports from Burundi have started to include more wild items from the nearby northern sections of Congo. Stay tuned to see what will develop! 
 

Exported from Burundi, Lamprologus ornatipinnis is available. In the past, this species was mostly shipped from Zambia. This northern form has nice markings and appears to be bigger than its southern counterparts.	Also collected and exported from Zambia, Neolamprologus pulcher has appeared again. This fish is from Chituta, with the well defined facial “double chevron” markings and the red-brown body flecks.
Collected in Katete, Zambia this Tropheus moorii is very similar to the Chipimbi (firecracker) type, though the Katete version seems to have a broader red stripe near its caudal peduncle. The extra coloration makes this fish an interesting change for Tropheus fans.	Generally only available from bred sources, Julidochromis sp. ‘gombi transcriptus’ with the classical strong vertical barring and contrasting markings is a real find. This form has not been exported for many years for unknown reasons.

Lake Malawi

Life goes on around Lake Malawi. Exports from the late Stuart Grant’s facility have started again and continue. However, the exported species selection has been reduced somewhat due to high fuel prices. Tanzanian exports continue on, but also on a reduced level due to the slowing of economies in import countries.  
 

Collected only occasionally by season, Copadichromis borleyi Undu (Tanzania) is a jumbo form with strong blue coloration. Only few individuals are caught and exported each time.	Collected in Likoma Island, Malawi, Protomelas similis has arrived again. Once settled down, this fish can develop strong and pleasing coloration. Photo by A. Konings.
Metriaclima sp. ‘aurora bevous’ is a rarely exported aurora type from Chizumulu Island. The beige and yellow colored females have black stripes in the tail. Photo by A. Konings.	Often sent as Tyannochromis maculiceps Mbenji, this fish is actually T. macrostoma. However, it is clearly colored differently than the T. macrostoma that develops a black belly. The maculiceps type rarely has a black belly.
Not often seem from the lake, Metriclima sp. ‘zebra gold’ Lions Cove, Malawi, has the typical gold-yellow “mustardi” color for the males, along with OB females. With special breeding efforts, a rare yellow Marmalade Cat male can be isolated!	Found and exported in small number, Naevochromis chrysogaster is trickling in again. Also nicknamed the Jack Dempsey from Malawi, an interested aquarist would need to buy all fish available a few different times to collect enough individuals to breed. Photo by A. Konings.

Lake Victoria

Wild caught collections from the Mwanza Gulf area of Lake Victoria can only be called spotty at best. Logistical problems still plague the exporter from obtaining enough material to justify collecting costs. Hopefully with an increase in demand, more frequent collecting will occur. Victoria fans can only hope for new and different fishes. 
 

Exported earlier in the year, Neochromis omnicaeruleus also comes in a “red OB” form. Thus we have seen three color forms of the “blue scraper” from Tanzania recently. Photo by O. Seehausen.

Also collected earlier in the year from Python Island, Tanzania, wild caught Pundamilia nyererei has been imported for the first time in decades. Only a few individuals from this location were actually shipped. Photo by O. Seehausen.

Neotropics

Some importers in the Untied States have begun to buy more South American fishes and less African fishes due to the rising costs of freight from long distances. Thus, imports from Brazil, Peru, and Columbia have increased over the last year. Interestingly, avid hobbyists have often ventured into the non-exporting countries, such as Bolivia and Uruguay, in search of new items. So there is something for everyone! 
 

Collected in an area of Uruguay called Fayle Muerto, this Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus sports metallic blue hues, but lacks any yellow coloration typical for other gymnogeophagines from Uruguay.  Photo by S. Jack.	Originally collected from Rio Cuareim, Uruguay, Crenicichla cf. lepidota has been brought back to the USA for breeding. This is one of five pike cichlid species from the same river, and one of the most beautiful. Photo by S. Jack.
From Lago Manacapuru, Brazil, this wild caught Pterophyllum cf. scalare displays an interesting reddish brown patch on its upper body. Similarly colored angelfish have also been reported from Rio Negro proper. Photo by J. Rapps.	Geophagus taeniopareius is widespread in Venezuela, including the upper Rio Orinoco. This substrate spawning eartheater is a medium-sized species that generally will not exceed 5" to 6" in length. Photo by J. Rapps.