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Lake Tanganyika 

The popularity of certain groups of Tanganyikan cichlids seems to be shifting yet again. An increase in the demand for Opthalmotilapia and Cyathopharynx varieties has been noticeable. Hobbyists have also been asking for adult Tropheus, as well. Fortunately, collecting continues from all points along the lake. Exporters have been complaining about the increased and chronic power shortages, along with the price of fuel and logistics. 
 

From the Zambian shores of Lake Tanganyika, Petrochromis macrognathus is a challenging, yet recently popular item for hobbyists.	Collected in Tanzania and often exported as Lepidiolamprologus nkambae, this fish is Lepidiolamprologus kendalli.
Reportedly from central Tanzania, this Lamprologus cf. stappersi  “Neon” sports an iridescent blue ventral streak.	Collected off Kala Island, Tanzania, this Tropheus moorii sports a blue dorsal fin, a green body, and a plum colored head.

Lake Malawi

Exports from the usual places around Lake Malawi continue but seem to be spotty compared to the previous quarter. Tastes also seem to be shifting, with more emphasis being placed on colorful haplochromines such as Protomelas, as well as some predatory species. Hobbyists are also revisiting some mbunas, such as the Metriaclima zebra-complex. Only time will tell which Malawi species group will remain a lasting favorite. 
 

Recently exported from Gome, Malawi, Copadichromis sp. “yellow jumbo” arrived as sub-adults and are not fully grown. This is typical for certain Copadichromis species.	Infrequently collected in the wild and almost never in color, this predatory Champsochromis caeruleus was captured at Itungi Port, Tanzania.
Collected in Mozambique, Metriaclima sp. “kingsizei Lumlaulo” is a jumbo variety compared to “kingsizei” from other locales.	Another fish rarely exported from Tanzania, Mylochromis ericotaenia Manda sports vertical bars and the typical diagonal stripe.
This small species, Cynotilapia sp. “lion Ntekete,” occurs along the Malawi east coast and was previously known as Pseudotropheus sp. “dwarf gold.” Photo by A. Konings.	Yet another not-so-often seen fish from Tanzania, Mylochromis epichorialis is a recent arrival. Photo by A. Konings.

Lake Victoria

Victorian cichlids are currently only available from breeders. However, over time, purchases made by both retailers and hobbyists have whittled down the demand to a handful of colorful varieties. This means that many of the bred Victoria basin species have no commercial demand and, therefore, will disappear from many breeding facilities. This is especially true in Florida, where the recent real estate boom has decreased available farming acreage. Marginal species, like many Victorian cichlids, will soon disappear from commercial channels, perhaps never to be collected nor re-established again in the future. 
 

Bred in a few places, including Florida, Haplochromis “argens” was available several years ago but is no longer available to hobbyists on a commercial basis. Photo by O. Seehausen.

Another oft-overlooked species, Neochromis omnicaeruleus (previously Haplochromis ‘blue scraper’) is not available through commercial channels. Photo by O. Seehausen.

Neotropics

The collecting season is underway in South America, with spotty shortages of certain species being reported initially. Popular species still seem to be the usual favorites, such as Apistogramma, discus, pike cichlids, and geophagines. Interest in some of the rarer varieties of Central Americans is evident, as well. There seems to be a little bit of something for everyone. 
 

Collected from the Xingu area of Brazil, Cichla sp. Xingu may prove to be a new species. Photo by O. Lucanus.	Originally from the Rio Uruguay, Crenicichla minuano grows to a length of 7"; on the small side for a pike cichlid! Photo by O. Lucanus.
Collected in the eastern state of Cerro Largo, Uruaguay, Gymnogeophagus cf. labiatus “blue Yerbalito” is one of the many beautiful labiatus-like species. Photo by J. Rapps.	Collected in muddy habitats behind an island in Lake Nicaragua, Amphilophus sp. ‘islestas” sports a red head. Possibly an undescribed species, it does not inhabit the typical A. citrinellus territory. Photo by J. Rapps.