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Lake Tanganyika 

Interest in Tanganyikan cichlids seems to have increased over the last half year within the Americas. General interest in all types of wild caught as well as bred items is on the upswing, with large Tropheus drawing special attention. Hobbyists are now starting to revisit some of the featherfins as well as Cyprichromis species, which have not been as popular until recently. Oddly, this recent popularity of Tanganyikan fishes in America is not evident in Europe. 
 

Several populations of tricolor-type Cyprichromis leptosoma jumbo are found in different places around the Lake.  This so-called C. sp. ‘leptosoma jumbo’ yellowhead was collected from Nkondwe Island near Kipili, Tanzania.	Other species and color morphs of Cyprichromis leptosoma are sometimes offered from breeders and wholesalers.  This blue one, called C. leptosoma “Mamalesa”, colors up at a small size.
Often sold as Xenotilapia spilopterus Kipili, this yellow-finned fish is actually from a bit further north, near Sibwesa, Tanzania and is usually available from bred sources.	Plecodus straeleni is a mimic of Cyphotilapia frontosa.  It is rarely collected on purpose, but occasionally is exported.  Beware, this fish is a scale eater!  Photo by A. Konings.

Lake Malawi

The availability of wild caught cichlids from Malawi continues to be strong. However, the prices of these items have increased somewhat. Until recently, both exporters and some importers have absorbed the increases associated with importing from the Lake. Even with newly imported Aulonocara and new mbuna species with color morphs from different locations, hobbyists are reluctant to buy at the new prices. There currently exists a fair back log of wild items in stock at many wholesalers. Now large farm-bred Malawi cichlids seem to be a great bargain. 
 

Lethrinops species are now regularly imported from Malawi. Several red types have gained popularity with specialists.  Here Lethrinops sp. ‘mbasi’ is seasonally available when they congregate to breed.	A newly collected afra-type, Cynotilapia sp. ‘chinyankwazi’ white top from Chinyankwazi Island.  From this location, this fish is found as a jumbo version. Photo by A. Konings.
This species collected from the northern end of the Lake, Lethrinops sp. ‘orange cap Nkhata’, has been imported from Malawi.  It is now bred by hobbyists in Europe.	Bred and exported from Europe, this is another designer strain of Malawi peacock.  This strain is called Aulonocara Red Pearl and seems to be similar to the Red Dragon strain, but colored with powder blue.
Exporters are often looking for new items and thus sometimes collect species in alternate locations.  Here is a recently exported Cynotilapia sp. ‘lion’ from Sanga, Malawi.  It is similar to the well known Lion Cove version, but brighter.	Never before commercially collected until recently, Metriaclima sp. ‘membe deep’ is found off Likoma Island in Malawi. Although this population has been known for some time, it was never exported before because a similar fish is readily available from Tanzania.

West Africa

Inventories of wild fishes are at an all time high in many importers’ warehouses for items from West Africa. Exporters from Nigeria, Congo, and Cameroon have been shipping as demand dictates, but due to higher landed costs, there is still a large backlog of these fishes on hand in most importing countries. Slowly, retailers and hobbyists alike will start to accept the new prices, but the current economy makes the going slow. 
 

Some of the first Pelvicachromis taeniatus exported many years ago were the Nigerian Red type.  They are still exported and sold, although at a somewhat higher price now.

Several different color morphs of P. taeniatus are exported from Cameroon.  Here is a female of a newer yellow type called Nyete.

Neotropics

As of this writing, the South American collecting season was in full swing. In a few short weeks, the rains will be too heavy and collecting will abate. Interest in Neotropical cichlids has increased along with the current popularity (and breeding) of L-number Plecostomus-type catfishes. Several oddities have also been collected and bred by adventurous hobbyists. 
 

Occasionally available from specialty importers, Uaru fernandezyepezi are still imported from Venezuela.  Note the characteristic white spotting on this individual.	Originally collected in Uruguay by hobbyists, Australoheros sp. ‘red breast Cuaro’ hails from Arroyo Cuaro Grande.  Other species of this genus have also been found.  Photo by S. Jack.
Many different discus strains are available from bred sources, especially the Far East.  Here is a beautiful snakeskin variety in an adult size.	Interesting, but aggressive and predatory, the spot-lipped pike, Crenicichla celidochilus, has a dummy eye spot on its lip! This fish was collected from Rio Cuareim, Uruguay.  Photo by S. Jack.