Authors Anna Mahulu and Ole Seehausen recently described two new species of cichlids from the rocky reefs of southeastern Lake Victoria in “Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae),” published as an open-access article in the journal Zookeys. The new species, Labrochromis mawe and Labrochromis mawepili, are “currently only known from the Mwanza and Speke Gulf regions of the lake in Tanzania.”
Prior to their formal scientific species descriptions, Labrachromis mawa was known as Haplochromis (Labrochromis) sp. “Stone” and Haplochromis sp. “Stone”. Labrochromis mawepili has been known as Haplochromis (Psammochromis) sp. “Striped Crusher” and Labrochromis sp. “Stone”.
Both species are material mouthbrooders confined to rocky regions within a relatively small area of the lake. Each species is separated biogeographically, confined to specific reefs and rocky locations. Labrochromis mawe has been found at “Anchor, Kissenda, Kilimo, Python, Gabalema, Nyamatala and Hippo islands, Bwiru Point, Karumo Bay, Nyegezi Rocks, Amranda Point, Ngoma Point, and Capri Point.” Conversely, Labrochromis mawepili is known from Makobe, Ruti, Igombe, and Hippo islands. Differences in morphology, dentition, and melanin patterning differentiate these otherwise superficially similar species. Interestingly, snails rank high on the list of prey items for both species, which are known as “snail-crushers”. Labrochromis mawapili also consumes a notable amount of ostracods. Insect larvae make up a smaller portion of both species’ diets.
If this quick summary makes you curious, there is so much more information available for Lake Victorian cichlid enthusiasts. We encourage you to read the full open-access article for more images and insights!
Reference
Mahulu A, Seehausen O (2025) Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
