{"product_id":"ophthalmotilapia-ventralis-orange-kapampa","title":"Ophthalmotilapia Ventralis Orange kasanga","description":"\u003ctable class=\"tg-spec\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eTribe \/ Genus:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eEctodini \/ Ophthalmotilapia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eType locality:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eKinyamkolo (Mpulungu) and Mbity Rock, Lake Tanganyika, Zambia.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eBiotope:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eInhabits the upper part of the rocky habitat and is most abundant at depths of about 3–5 m.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eGeographic distribution:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eoccurs in the southern part of Lake Tanganyika.\u003cbr\u003eIt is found along the entire Zambian shoreline and also along the southern Congolese and southern Tanzanian coasts.\u003cbr\u003eFrom the Kalambo River northwards to the Kasanga area in southern Tanzania, populations are described as being very similar to those found in Zambia.\u003cbr\u003eNorth of Kasanga and extending to Kitango Rocks in Kala Bay, a yellow form of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eO. ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis found. African Diving considers this yellow form a potential distinct species and refers to it as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esp. ‘Ventralis Yellow Tanzania’. On this tanganyika.si this form is currently treated as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eO. cf. ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eOn the western (Congolese) side of the lake, similar yellow populations are reported from Kapampa and Masanza and are likewise treated here as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eO. cf. ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eNorth of the range of the yellow form on both shores, another ventralis-like species occurs; this taxon is regarded as distinct from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eO. ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand is treated as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esp. ‘whitecap’.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eTypical adult size:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eMales reach around 15 cm total length, with females remaining about 2–3 cm smaller (commonly around 12 cm).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eSexual dimorphism:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eOnly males develop strong coloration; females remain greyish and less conspicuous.\u003cbr\u003eMales have longer fins than females, especially the pelvic fins.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eRecommended aquarium size:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003e400 L when keeping multiple males.\u003cbr\u003eIn simpler setups with fewer males, a slightly smaller aquarium of around 300 L may be sufficient.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eAquarium setup:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia ventralis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis sensitive to transport and acclimation, but becomes relatively hardy once established under suitable conditions.\u003cbr\u003eIt should not be housed with aggressive cichlids; tank mates should be smaller and less aggressive species so that males can become dominant and display their best coloration.\u003cbr\u003eBecause of the likelihood of hybridization, it should not be kept together with other species of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eKeeping multiple males and females can promote the development of dominance hierarchies and breeding readiness; several females per male are recommended.\u003cbr\u003eProvide fine sand, as males construct volcano-shaped nests, and include substantial rockwork because this is a rocky-habitat species. A large flat rock is also recommended, as males are reported to build nests on such surfaces in the wild.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003ePrimarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on aufwuchs with various algae, while also ingesting associated microorganisms.\u003cbr\u003eFemales and non-territorial males also take plankton when available.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eMaternal mouthbrooder, breeding in a manner comparable to other\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eMales build volcano-shaped nests of sand (reported at about 10–12 cm in diameter) on top of a rock and entice a female to spawn in the center.\u003cbr\u003eEgg mimicry involves the yellow lappets at the ends of the pelvic fins.\u003cbr\u003eReported clutch size is commonly about 10–16 eggs, and after spawning it is often advisable to remove the female due to male aggression.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eAggression:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eCan be quite aggressive, especially between males.\u003cbr\u003eDominant males vigorously defend their territories and nesting sites; a larger aquarium is recommended when keeping multiple males.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"k\"\u003eSpecial notes:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"v\"\u003eThe species has been described as having a blue-grey body with metallic reflections and a darker, blackish top of the head; an additional description notes a light blue male with a triangular black marking on the lower flank of the body.\u003cbr\u003eBy contrast,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOphthalmotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esp. ‘Whitecap’ is described as rarely, if ever, being bright blue and as lacking the triangular black marking, instead typically showing a darker, often blackish appearance with white patterning on the upper body or head.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"DANAQUA","offers":[{"title":"4.5\" BREEDING PAIR","offer_id":42807179771998,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/4802\/5182\/files\/Ophthalmotilapiaventralisorangecap-2024-02-2511-33-41-04b.jpg?v=1779657682","url":"https:\/\/danaqualivefish.com\/products\/ophthalmotilapia-ventralis-orange-kapampa","provider":"Danaqua Live Fish \u0026 More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}