Species Profile: Astatotilapia barbarae

General species photo

Description:   Small to medium sized haplochromine endemic to Lake Victoria. Found near shallow wave-exposed sandy beaches near water lilies and papyrus swamps. Feeds on cichlid eggs and known as an egg snatcher with a feeding strategy of stealing eggs during the spawning process of other mouth brooders. It was collected in the Mwamza Gulf in the early 1990s but has never been in the hobby. A very attractive species with males and females showing often expressing OB forms.

Category:   Cichlids

Global Region:   Africa

Distribution:   Lake Victoria

CARES Classification:   Critically Endangered