WHAT'S NEW ACROSS THE WORLD
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What's new April 2001
What's New ©by Laif DeMason

 As of this writing, there is promising news from several areas in the cichlid world. First, there have been some productive collecting efforts, resulting in actual fish exports from the Congo (formally Zaire) on the shores of western Lake Tanganyika! It is hard to believe that it has been nearly seven years since exports of consequence have occurred from this vast coastline. However we must wait and see, as I remember empty promises from the past! Second, areas in West Africa such as Guinea, Cameroon, and Congo have expanded exports and collecting areas. Third, nearly all of the previous weather-related problems for collecting and shipping have been curtailed. With any luck at all, cichlid fans may see a new chapter unfold before them.
 

Here’s “what’s new” on the cichlid scene:

Lake Tanganyika 

Dreamed about by exporters since the 1970s, Congo may soon export fishes again. Wild-caught specimens of several Congo favorites are expected, including the Zairean “blue frontosa.” Other poorly-represented areas in southern Tanzania are expected to come on line as well. Exports from Burundi and Zambia are frequent, as are supplies of bred Tanganyika cichlids.
 

what's new: Lake Tanganyika

Formally collected from the Congo, Opthalmotilapia nasuta “Bilia” may soon be available again.

Collected in the past but re-exported from Zambia, Cyprichromis leptosoma “new blue” has arrived.

Nearly impossible to breed, fry from Benthochromis tricoti are available from Burundi as they have solved the supply bottleneck! An adult male is pictured here. Photo by A. Konings.

This unusual freckle-faced T. duboisi is a farm-bred color mutation that won’t be commercially available for some time. Good things come to those who wait! Photo courtesy of Fishes of Burundi. 

Lake Malawi

Collecting activities in Tanzanian waters of Lake Malawi have increased of late. Weather problems have declined along the Malawi coast, favoring broad-based collecting again. Mozambique waters remain off limits still. As of May 2001, supplies are spotty on some of the small farmed Malawi cichlids, a situation that the summer breeding season will soon correct.
 
 

what's new: Lake Malawi

 

Collected at Eccles Reef, this Pseudotropheus acei  sports yellow finnage on a purple body. Photo by A. Konings.

Collected near Lupingu, Tanzania, Pseudotropheus sp. “kingsizei orange” is also sold as Ps. “solid orange.”

From Ndumbi, Tanzania, Ps. sp. “red top ndumbi” shows variable red coloration in the dorsum.

Several Metriaclima zebra types have been exported from Tanzania; here the Manda variety with its shiny nose and forehead is shown.

Often exported as small, drab green fishes, here is a male Dimidiochromis kiwingi in full color.  Photo by C. Kacirek.

Infrequently collected by seine netting, Dimidiochromis strigatus is often available from bred sources.  Photo by C. Kacirek.

Victoria

No news to report from the Victorian basin. Promises of exports of wild-caught material have not been fulfilled. Breeders have reported some unusual “sports” which may materialize on the market soon.
 
 

what's new: Victoria

 

Although plentiful in Uganda, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor “yellow” still can be bought from specialty breeders.
Also still present in collectable number in Lake Victoria is ‘Haplochromis’  sp. “rock kribensis.” Photo by M. Smith.

West Africa

There has been increased activity of late from several exporting countries as the rainy season begins. Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Congo have been active.
 
 
 

what's new: West Africa

 
 

Arriving in fair numbers from Guinea, Gobiocichla wonderi is an oddity for those who specialize.  Photo by O. Lucanus.

Also from Guinea, this barred cichlid is sold as Pelvicachromis humilis “striped”.

Neotropics 

The collecting season has begun in earnest in many areas of South America. Fortunately, some new exporters are now going after specialty fishes, as well as cichlids from isolated sources. This trend could produce larger numbers of rarely seen items — good news for dwarf cichlid, discus, and pike cichlid buffs.
 

what's new: Neotropics

 

From Brazil, a wild-caught blue-front Symphysodon discus of the Heckel variety.

Exported from Guyana, the golden-colored Nannacara anomala is an attractive dwarf cichlid.

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