Most Tanganyika cichlids live along the shoreline, down to a depth of , but some deep-water species regularly descend to . Trematocara species have, exceptionally, been found at more than , which is deeper than any other cichlid known.Loiselle, Paul (1994). The Cichlid Aquarium, p. 304. Tetra Press, Germany. . Some of the deepwater genera (e.g., Bathybates, Gnathochromis, Hemibates and Xenochromis) have been caught in places virtually devoid of oxygen, and how they are able to survive there is unclear. Tanganyika cichlids are generally benthic (found at or near the bottom) and/or coastally.Lindqvist, O.V.; H. Mölsä; K. Solonen; J. Sarvala, editors (1999). From Limnology to Fisheries: Lake Tanganyika and Other Large Lakes. pp. 213–214. Springer. No Tanganyika cichlids are truly pelagic and offshore, except for some of the piscivorous Bathybates. Two of these, B. fasciatus and B. leo, mainly feed on Tanganyika sardines. Tanganyika cichlids differ extensively in ecology, and include species that are herbivores, detritivores, planktivores, insectivores, molluscivores, scavengers, scale-eaters and piscivores. These dietary specializations, however, have been shown to be variable and subject to opportunistic changes. That is, many species of Tanganyikan cichlid with specialized diets showed opportunistic, episodic exploitation of Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon when prey concentrations were unusually high. The fishes' breeding behavior falls into two main groups: the substrate- or sand-spawners (often in caves or rock crevices) and the mouthbrooders.Schliewen, U. (1992). Aquarium Fish. Barron's Educational Series. . Among the endemic species are two of the world's smallest cichlids, Neolamprologus multifasciatus and N. similis (both shell dwellers), measuring up to , and one of the largest, the giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) at up to .
most tanganyika cichlids live along the shoreline down to a depth of  but some deep-water species regularly descend to  trematocara species have exceptionally been found at more than  which is deeper than any other cichlid knownloiselle paul (1994) the cichlid aquarium p 304 tetra press germany  some of the deepwater genera (eg bathybates gnathochromis hemibates and xenochromis) have been caught in places virtually devoid of oxygen and how they are able to survive there is unclear tanganyika cichlids are generally benthic (found at or near the bottom) and/or coastallylindqvist ov; h mölsä; k solonen; j sarvala editors (1999) from limnology to fisheries lake tanganyika and other large lakes pp 213–214 springer no tanganyika cichlids are truly pelagic and offshore except for some of the piscivorous bathybates two of these b fasciatus and b leo mainly feed on tanganyika sardines tanganyika cichlids differ extensively in ecology and include species that are herbivores detritivores planktivores insectivores molluscivores scavengers scale-eaters and piscivores these dietary specializations however have been shown to be variable and subject to opportunistic changes that is many species of tanganyikan cichlid with specialized diets showed opportunistic episodic exploitation of stolothrissa tanganicae and limnothrissa miodon when prey concentrations were unusually high the fishes' breeding behavior falls into two main groups the substrate- or sand-spawners (often in caves or rock crevices) and the mouthbroodersschliewen u (1992) aquarium fish barron's educational series  among the endemic species are two of the world's smallest cichlids neolamprologus multifasciatus and n similis (both shell dwellers) measuring up to  and one of the largest the giant cichlid (boulengerochromis microlepis) at up to 