Cyathopharynx furcifer 'Uvira'

Cyathopharynx furcifer is one of the most spectacular cichlids in Lake Tanganyika, and the Uvira population is among the most vivid. Breeding males develop electric-blue colouration across the entire body combined with extraordinarily long trailing pelvic fins, while constructing massive sand-castle structures up to 30 cm in diameter as spawning arenas.

This species is a female mouthbrooder; females are attracted to the male's display, spawn at the peak of the structure, and then incubate the clutch alone. Groups of one male to several females in a large sandy aquarium produce the full natural display sequence.

C. furcifer requires very large aquariums with deep sand and open space. A purpose-built Cyathopharynx display is one of the most visually impressive of all African cichlid setups.