General information – The Ophthalmotilapia ventralis is an amazing

cichlid endemic to lake Tanganika. There are a lot of color morphs in

lake Tanganica but the most common is the one from Cape Mpimbwe

(Tanzania). In their natural habitat the Blue Gold-Tip Cichlidsare found in

sandy substrate areas looking for food. Males have longer Ventral fins

with dummy egg spots on their fins. Females are a bit smaller and

usually with no egg spots.In captivity it can live up to10 Years.  

Common Name - Blue goldtip cichlid, Blue Gold-Tip Cichlid 

Scientific Name - Ophthalmotilapia ventralis 

Photo by: Yigal Serebro

Origin - Lake Tanganyika, Africa 

Size – Up to 15 cm (5.91 inch) 

First discovered - Boulenger, 1898 

Nutrition – Omnivore, the Ophthalmotilapia ventralis will accept almost anything offered pellets, flakes, live

foods and frozen foods. Adding Spirulina and frozen foods on a regular basis will improve their colors

significantly. The ventralis use to graze algae from the rocks to supplement its diet.

Behavior – Semi-aggressive.

Maintenance and care – The Ophthalmotilapia ventralis or by its common name Blue goldtip cichlid

should be provided a large fish tank with plenty of room to swim and with sandy substrate with few rocks.

It is recommended to keep the ventralis with Shelldwellers and Cyprichromis or with other peaceful

Tanganyikan fish. 

Water Parameters – Temperature: 23C-26C (73.4F- 78.8F), pH: 8-8.8 

Breeding - Maternal Mouthbrooder. The ventralis is very hard species to breed.In the wild, female

ventralis holds for about a month and in captivity holding lasts about 3 to 4 weeks. In order to

maintain male aggression they should be kept in ratio of 3-4 females to each male in the tank.

The Preferred spawning site is on the sand, the female will take the unfertilized eggs in her

mouth then the eggs will be fertilized after the male release his milt into her mouth. This process

occurs when the female follow the male very close to his ventral fins , the male have spots on this fin,

those spots known as dummy eggs, the female believes these are more eggs and goes to catch

them this is the right moment for the male to release his sperm.

Due to male bullying it is highly recommended to strip females in early stages (3 days)

otherwise she will emit the eggs. Fry can be fed with crushed foods, newly hatched brine shrimps

and small frozen foods such as cyclops.

Photo by: Yigal Serebro