Grammatotria lemairii

Grammatotria lemairii is an unusual and infrequently available Tanganyika cichlid with a deep-bodied profile, subtly humped nape, and silvery to pale-blue body colouration. It inhabits sandy zones of the lake and feeds on invertebrates extracted from the substrate. Its relatively large size and unusual body shape make it a conspicuous addition to any Tanganyika collection.

In the wild, G. lemairii typically occurs in loose aggregations over sand. In the aquarium it requires large open spaces and a sandy substrate. Captive breeding details are limited; the species is believed to be a maternal mouthbrooder.

This fish is strictly a specialist's fish — its rarity, sensitivity to water quality changes, and large space requirements make it unsuitable for general aquarists.