Amphilophus chancho

Amphilophus chancho is the deep-bodied, molariform member of the Lake Apoyo cichlid radiation. Where A. sagittae is slender and open-water adapted, A. chancho is robust and benthic, with a thickened snout and powerful pharyngeal jaw apparatus suited for crushing snails and other hard prey. This ecological divergence within a single small lake is a celebrated example of sympatric speciation.

In the aquarium, A. chancho displays impressive coloration: a silvery-gold base with variable dark lateral patterning and blue iridescent scaling. Males develop a distinct nuchal hump at maturity. The species is moderately aggressive and does well in setups replicating the clear, warm, alkaline waters of Lake Apoyo.

Captive diet should include hard-shelled foods such as crushed snails and mussel to exercise the pharyngeal dentition, alongside standard high-quality cichlid pellets.