General information – The Xenotilapia spilopterus found in southern

Tanganyika Lake. The spilopterus inhabits the shallow waters on the

sandy bottom. In the year 2006 the Xenotilapia spilopterus entered

the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There are numerous

locations in the lake where Xenotilapia spilopterus is found.

These fish has small differences between them.

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Chituta)

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Gombe)

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Halembe) 

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Kalambo)

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Karilani)

Xenotilapia spilopterus (Kasanga)  

 Xenotilapia spilopterus (Mabilibili) 

Photo by: Citron

Common Name - Spilopterus 

Scientific Name - Xenotilapia spilopterus 

Family – Cichlidae 

Origin – Africa, Lake Tanganyika 

Size – Up to 12cm 

First discovered - POLL & STEWART, 1975 

Nutrition – Carnivore, in nature the Xenotilapia spilopterus feeds on microorganisms that it filtered from

the sand. It is also feeding on small invertebrates and small amounts of algae. In captivity it will accept

dry food (flakes and pellets) but will prefer frozen food and live food. 

Behavior – Peaceful  

Maintenance and care – The Xenotilapia spilopterus should be kept in a 250 litter's tank as a

minimum, the tank should contain sand substrate and can be decorated with woods and stone

formation but open swimming areas are essential. It is very important to keep water parameters

and temperatures steady. 

Water Parameters – Temperature: 77F - 79F, PH: 8-8.6 

Breeding – Easy to breed, once the couple is ready to spawn, the male will dig a round pit in the

substrate, the female will arrive to the pit and lay about 30 eggs, these eggs will be fertilized by the

male. The female will collect these fertilized eggs to her mouth she will hold them in her mouth for

about three weeks. In this species both parents hold the eggs so it is not rare to strip males. It is

recommended to strip the female in the early stages otherwise she will lose most of the fry, these

species known to be bad holders.Any changes in water parameters can lead to breading break.

The couple will spawn once a month, every spawn will occur with one female chosen by the male.

Photo by: Citron