West Africa

There are many countries in western Africa that contain cichlids. Mostly, the cichlid population lives in rivers and small lakes that have generally neutral water conditions. While these are just generalities, you can at least know that the fish should be kept in tanks dedicated to west African specimens only, and not mixed in with other East African Cichlids.

You may not be familiar with the cichlids from this region of the world. There are many reasons for this. While some of these fish are very beautiful, others are indeed more plain in color, but they all have some wonderful characteristics that can make a fabulous tank. Another reason for limited distribution in America or elsewhere in the hobby, is there have been many difficulties in acquiring fish from several of these countries. Why? Well, how about civil unrest, war, Ebola, or even the more mundane reason that most of these fish come from areas that are very remote and have no established fisheries. Although some lakes and rivers in the world have established collection facilities, export systems of personnel and equipment, the majority of these countries have had little exposure to fish exportation. What does this mean for hobbyists? Well, how about the chance to get a fish that has rarely been seen by anyone outside the local are ait is collected from? And, how about studying and breeding a fish that nobody ever has?

Cameroon

Here we can find cichlids in the crater lakes and in the many rivers of the country.

Barombe-Mbo

Barombe-Mbo is one of many crater lakes formed during volcanic activity many years ago. Within these volcanoes lakes have formed in the domes and cichlids have somehow developed in these bodies of water. Because they are secluded lakes that are not attached to any other body of water, all species are endemic to the particular lake and the cichlids have developed their own diversity. Not many of these wonderful cichlids have been described in any book or publication. We will try to get you the pictures and information that we have so you can see for yourself how wonderful they really are. Maybe then, you will want to begin keeping them and helping with their survival.

Crater Lake in Cameroon

What are these fish? Good question. This is a geologically secluded lake that was formed from volcanic activity many years ago. What does this mean for the fish? Well, for the most part, they are only found in this particular lake in Africa, they are very diverse in their habits, foods, and activity, they formed their own cichlid eco-system in the lake. After we get them photographed and some more study completed, we will place the information and pictures here. After some additional time we might begin to offer these specimens to dedicated hobbyists around the world for their own special tanks.

Are they endangered? Well, kind of. They only exist in remote areas, as we have said. Are they endangered in the United States or other countries? Yes, they are not found in many places at all. Some of the species have only been imported once, and only 8-10 specimens were brought in.

Here are some of the fish we currently are working with.

    Lake Barombe-mbo:
  • Konia eisentrauti
  • Pungu maclerni
  • Sarotherodon lohbergei
  • Sarotherodon steinbachi
  • Stomatepia mariae
  • Stomatepia pindu
    Lake Bermin:
  • Tilapia sp. imbriferna or sp. flava
    Riverine:
  • Tylochromis sudanensis