CARES Species Profile:  Astatotilapia barbarae

Description

Small to medium sized haplochromine endemic to Lake Victoria. Found near shallow wave-exposed sandy beaches near water lilies and papyrus swamps. Feeds on cichlid eggs and known as an egg snatcher with a feeding strategy of stealing eggs during the spawning process of other mouth brooders. It was collected in the Mwamza Gulf in the early 1990s but has never been in the hobby. A very attractive species with males and females showing often expressing OB forms.

CARES Family:   Cichlidae - East Africa

Global Region:   Africa

Distribution:   Lake Victoria

 

Conservation Status

CARES Classification:  Critically Endangered CARES Assessment Date:  March 14, 2026
IUCN Red List:  Critically Endangered IUCN Assessment Date:  March 31, 2010