Gnathochromis permaxillaris “Zambia”
Remarks: Gnathochromis permaxillaris is a very rare species in the hobby. They are tough to spawn in captivity and occur very deep in Lake Tanganyika, making wild caught individuals very expensive. Based on the shape of their head and snout, you may compare them to the South American genus Geophagus – and the comparisons wouldn’t stop there! They feed by sifting sand through their gills, much like the eartheaters in the Amazon.
They are reportedly a cave-spawning mouth-brooder that exhibit biparental custody of the eggs. We recommend setting up a large tank (at least 55 gallon for a species-only tank) with several piles of rocks and caves and a large sandy area for swimming and feeding.
Scientific Name
Gnathochromis permaxillaris
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lake Tanganyika |
| Feeding Method | Sifting sand through gills |
| Spawning Behavior | Cave-spawning mouth-brooder with biparental care |
| Minimum Tank Size | 55 gallons (species-only) |
FAQ
What is the natural habitat of Gnathochromis permaxillaris?
Gnathochromis permaxillaris is native to deep areas of Lake Tanganyika in Africa.
How do these fish feed?
They feed by sifting sand through their gills, similar to Amazon eartheaters.
What tank setup is recommended?
A large tank of at least 55 gallons with multiple rock piles, caves, and a spacious sandy area is recommended.
Sean Hardacre –
Received my Gnathochromis permaxillaris in good condition. The fish are active and seem to enjoy the sandy substrate. Set up a 55-gallon tank with caves and sand, and they’ve adapted well. Very interesting behavior when sifting through the sand.
Matt Roberts –
Hard to find species, but the fish are healthy and curious. The tank setup took some time to finalize, but now they’re swimming around the sand areas regularly. Great for experienced aquarists.
Victor McGrath –
First time keeping a Lake Tanganyika species. The fish are calm and spend most of their time in the sandy zones. The biparental care aspect is fascinating to observe.