Temporalis Cichlid

About

Found on rocky lake floors rather than in the shallows, Telmatochromis temporalis is a cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that tends to live deeper than you might expect for a fish this size. Specimens have been recorded down to around 65 feet, though they seem most at home between 15 and 30 feet. Unlike many rock-dwelling cichlids that hug cover and bolt at movement, this species is notably confident in the open and can tolerate surprisingly turbid conditions, having been found over muddy substrates as well as clean rock. In the wild it lives a solitary lifestyle, scraping aufwuchs from surfaces and picking off small invertebrates and the occasional tiny fish. Breeding pairs form temporarily, with the male holding the surrounding territory while the female handles direct care of the fry. In the aquarium, that territorial dynamic is worth planning around. This species does best when kept with similarly assertive Tanganyikan tankmates rather than gentler community fish. It's a manageable species for fishkeepers who have some experience with rift lake cichlids, and the absence of shyness makes it genuinely rewarding to watch. A good-sized aquarium with plenty of rockwork will keep it comfortable and let you observe natural behavior without much effort.