The Golden Tip Cichilid (Ophthalmotilapia nasuta)

The rift lakes of Africa are famed for the remarkable abundance of cichlids that have flourished in them. Lake Tanganyika, the oldest and deepest of these isolated bodies of water, is home to one of the most graceful and attractive members of this family—the Golden Tip Cichlid Ophthalmotilapia nasuta.

Unlike the familiar mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi, which are typically aggressive algae­-eaters, the Golden Tip Cichlid is a relatively peaceful fish that preys mostly on zooplankton in the wild. This might include things like mysid shrimp and fly larvae, but in captivity they’ll accept most any dry or frozen food, such as the nutritious fish eggs in Nutramar Ova.

Males are the real stunner in this species, developing a gorgeous yellow hue across much of the body and growing long, trailing pelvic fins that reach near the tail of the fish. Able to grow to 8”, males are often aggressive amongst themselves and should be housed one to a tank with a group of the smaller females. If kept on a sand bottom, males will dig a shallow depression in which to attract the females, who mouthbrood their eggs.

In the wild, this fish occurs in hard, alkaline water, but replicating this isn’t too important for the captive-­bred specimens available in the aquarium trade. Possible tankmakes can include other peaceful Tanganyika cichlids—Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, Altolamprologus — but other options are some of the midsize tetras and barbs, catfishes, loaches, and certain South and Central American cichlids..

Like many of the African rift lake cichlids, there are several different geographically isolated populations that differ in their coloration—those carried by Aquatropic are from a region known as Ndole Bay. Most specimens seen for sale are still going to be small juveniles that will have not yet developed the bright colors of adulthood, so this is unfortunately a species which is all too often overlooked in aquarium stores. But, given its beauty, peaceful nature and its easy captive care requirements, this is one fish which can make for a stunning addition to many different types of home aquaria.