Haplochromis sp. 'Kyoga Flameback'

Haplochromis sp. 'Kyoga Flameback' is an undescribed Victorian-region haplochromine from Lake Kyoga, the large shallow satellite lake north of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Males develop the characteristic flameback pattern — intense orange-red colouration along the dorsal ridge and upper body contrasting with a vivid blue lower body and belly — but with a slightly different colour saturation and body proportion compared to Lake Victoria Flameback forms, reflecting independent evolution in the Kyoga system.

Lake Kyoga cichlids are closely related to Lake Victoria endemics and share most care requirements: hard alkaline water, rocky or structured décor, harem keeping arrangement, and a balanced omnivore diet. The species is a maternal mouthbrooder and breeds readily in captivity.

The Kyoga Flameback offers aquarists the opportunity to represent the satellite lake system in a Victorian-region display, complementing Tanzanian and Kenyan Lake Victoria forms with a Ugandan satellite lake species of genuine interest.

Water: 22-27°C, pH 7.0-8.5, moderately hard alkaline; weekly 25% water changes. Tank: 150L minimum; rocky décor with defined territories; open sandy zones between rocks. Feeding: Cichlid pellets, spirulina, frozen mysis and brine shrimp; varied balanced diet. Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; standard Victorian-region cichlid breeding protocols. Compatibility: Victorian-region community; keep separate from visually similar flameback forms.