Rare Xenotilapia in the US?

[Thomas Andersen]

I´m working on papers on some of the rare Xenotilapia species, like X. longispinis, X. burtoni and X. caudafasciata.

I have a pretty good overview of what has been imported to Europe: X. longispinis has been imported - last time a couple of years ago, X. burtoni has been imported in the past according to H.-J. Hermann and X. caudafasciata has properly never been imported, although I’ve found an ad. in a 15 year old magazine on X. caudafasciata , but I doubt it has been rightly identified.

But what about the US - is there anyone who knows if these species ever has been imported? Any hints to pictures, printed articles etc. would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Thomas

Here is a picture of Xenotilapia longispinis from the last import a couple of years ago, taken by Benoít Jonas, France in Eric Genevelle´s tank:

[Mark Smith]

Hello again Thomas

Mark Smith here again. Back in the early 1990's, when I briefly worked for Cichlid News Magazine, Laif got in X. longsipinnis, but he did not know what it was, nor did I at the time. I photographed it and the photo appeared in one of the early issues of Cichlid News Magazine. I cannot remember which issue, but if you look through the first 3 years, you'll spot it, I'm sure. I think Laif got them via Burundi, but it is only a guess. And, only a couple of specimens came in.

Hope that helps.
Mark

[Thomas Andersen]

Thanks Mark for that information

I would really, really love to see some of these Xenotilapia exported - hopefully we will see these species in the trade sometime in the future

All the best,

Thomas

[Mark Smith]

Thomas

In my estimation, if the collectors really wanted to, they could bring out most of the Xeno's known. But for some reason(s) they won't. As I've said repeatedly to many people and in my articles, if they would collect fish at night, or at least seine at night along a sandy beach at night, they could catch all sorts of species that they do not normally collect during the day. It seems like most collectors collect fish a majority of the time in very shallow water from the surface down to appox. 30 feet.

The evidence points to the fact that many deepwater species accend to the shallow waters at night and then descend just before daylight. It would also be interesting to find out if a different assemblage comes up from the depths on full moon nights, as this is the case with some very odd Diplotaxodon species from Lake Malawi.

Take care,
Mark

[Thomas Andersen]

Yes, you’re quite right, but what’s really puzzling me are why the exporters either haven’t realized this, or even more strange have realized this, but not acting from it – as we have discussed in the Trematocara thread you would think it would be some easy money for the exporters to catch these species in the shallows at night, and then demand a high price for a new or rare species in the trade – I really don’t get it

And yes indeed, it would be very interesting to investigate if different species are attending the shallows at different times - anyone for a trip to Lake Tanganyika to find out?

Best wishes,

Thomas

[cyatide]

Hello again Thomas

Mark Smith here again. Back in the early 1990's, when I briefly worked for Cichlid News Magazine, Laif got in X. longsipinnis, but he did not know what it was, nor did I at the time. I photographed it and the photo appeared in one of the early issues of Cichlid News Magazine. I cannot remember which issue, but if you look through the first 3 years, you'll spot it, I'm sure. I think Laif got them via Burundi, but it is only a guess. And, only a couple of specimens came in.

Hope that helps.
Mark

Hi Mark,

your picture is on the 1992 April (p. 27) Cichlid News issue!

Paolo

PS) I have also your Tanganyikan Cichlids' handbook

[Mark Smith]

Thanks Paolo for pinpointing the issue for Thomas.

Hope you find my old book of some use.