Diversity and abundance of ornamental cichlids at Katonga in Lake Tanganyika

Abstract

Diversity and abundance of ornamental cichlids of Lake Tanganyika was assessed in six habitats namely rocky, sandy, muddy, benthic, pelagic and surge water at Katonga fishing ground in Kigoma. Ornamental cichlids were collected using fishing net with a dimension of 10 m long x 1 m width and mesh size of 8 mm. eighteen species that are potential for export were observed and recorded. The highest diversity was recorded from sandy and rocky habitat (2.0) and the lowest in muddy habitat (0.0) respectively. Abundance of ornamental cichlids varied among habitats and species. Sandy habitat had the highest number (11) of ornamental cichlids predominated by Xenotilapia ochrogeny (30%) followed by Cyathofarynx fursifer (17.17%) and Benthochromis tricot (12.86%). Rocky habitat, had 10 species predominated by Tropheus kirschfleck (24.24%) followed by Goby cichlids (19.70%) and Tropheus brichardi (17.42%). On the other hand, muddy habitat was found to be monospecific in terms of ornamental fish species dominated by only one species, Cyathofarynx fursifer. It can be concluded that the highest diversity and abundance of ornamental cichlids was recorded from rocky and sandy habitats. It is recommended that further study should be conducted to determine factors which may influence abundance and distribution of ornamental fish in the lake.

Keywords: Cichlids, Ornamental fish, Lake Tanganyika, Diversity