Ophthalmotilapia nasuta

Ophthalmotilapia nasuta is distinguished from congeners by a notably elongated, pointed snout adapted for scraping aufwuchs from rocky surfaces. Like all Ophthalmotilapia, males develop spectacular trailing pelvic fins tipped with egg-spot mimics — circular orange-yellow markings that females peck at during spawning, causing inadvertent fertilisation of the clutch.

Breeding males combine the elongated pelvic display fins with iridescent body colouration ranging from blue to gold. Females are smaller and less ornate. O. nasuta is a semi-aggressive cichlid best kept in a group with compatible Tanganyika tankmates.

A large rocky aquarium with some open swimming space best replicates its natural habitat at the rocky-sand transition zones of the lake.

Water: 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9.0, GH 10–18, KH 8–16; rocky-shore to sand-transition parameters. Tank: 300 L minimum; mixed rocky and sandy zones; open midwater swimming space. Feeding: High-quality flake and cichlid pellets; spirulina flake accepted as aufwuchs substitute. Breeding: Female mouthbrooder; males display with trailing fins and egg-spot tips; female holds 20–40 fry for 4 weeks. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive; keep with robust Tanganyika community species; avoid very small tankmates.