This January issue of Cichlid News finds the usual assortment of excellent articles on cichlids of worldwide provenance. Thomas Andersen acquaints us with the somewhat rare and obscure Xenotilapia caudafasciata, a “big-eyed” species of Xenotilapia from the deep muddy habitat in Lake Tanganyika which was first imported in 2007. Thomas traces the taxonomic history of this interesting species as well as sharing details of its successful aquaculture and captive breeding.
Uwe Werner introduces us to another rare and obscure cichlid, Oreochromis schwebischi from Gabon. After reading his account and ogling his photos, sign me up for some fry!!!
Ad Konings speculates on the ancestry of all Malawi cichlids, reviewing the often conflicting data, typically DNA-based, pointing to one or another Astatotilapia species as ancestor or near-ancestor. Most recently Genner and colleagues (2015) published the discovery of an as-yet-undescribed Astatotilapia (which they refer to as A. sp. ‘Ruaha’) that in cladograms appears sister to all Malawi haplochromines. A very interesting read!
Our friend from Mexico, Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, writes about the “Corrienteras” of Mexico. These four species of the genus Paraneetroplus evolved to spend their entire lives swimming against the strong water currents of rivers in the wet tropical forests of Mexico. Juan presents an overview of the four species covering their taxonomy, phylogeny, distribution, habitat, biology, and husbandry in the aquarium. Finally, hot off the presses, I share the official description and naming of the mouthbrooding severum, Heros liberifer, with additional confirmation of the identity of the “true” Heros severus (see Lucanus, CN July 2015 (24(3):14-17). Laif DeMason shares ‘What’s New’ to round out this issue.
Wishing all a great Holiday Season! Until springtime and the April issue, please enjoy your cichlids!
