Callochromis
Encyclopedia
Callochromis is a genus of cichlid
s, including the species C. macrops, C. melanostigma, C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi. All species occupy shallow, sandy bottom areas of Lake Tanganyika
in East Africa
, C. macrops and C. melanostigma attaining six inches in length, whereas C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi only four inches. As sandsifters, all species eat sand-dwelling invertebrates. Unlike many other sandsifters, Callochromis species are somewhat aggressive, especially when breeding. C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi have become popular with fishkeeping hobbyists because of their compact size, iridescent colors, and hardiness.
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s, including the species C. macrops, C. melanostigma, C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi. All species occupy shallow, sandy bottom areas of Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake. It is estimated to be the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest, after Lake Baikal in Siberia; it is also the world's longest freshwater lake...
in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, C. macrops and C. melanostigma attaining six inches in length, whereas C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi only four inches. As sandsifters, all species eat sand-dwelling invertebrates. Unlike many other sandsifters, Callochromis species are somewhat aggressive, especially when breeding. C. pleurospilus and C. stappersi have become popular with fishkeeping hobbyists because of their compact size, iridescent colors, and hardiness.