Territoriality of male cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika

Abstract– Intra- and interspecific territoriality of males in six maternal mouthbrooding cichlid species was observed in Lake Tanganyika. Males of all species usually swam, foraged and courted visiting females in restricted ranges (2–10 m across) which were separated from those of conspecific males. Each swimming area contained a nest site. Males of all species attacked conspecific males near or beyond the borderline of the swimming area (mating territory) and attacked various kinds of potential egg eaters from a narrow area only around the nest site (nesting territory). Males of three species attacked cogeneric fishes, i. e. food competitors, inside mating - but outside nesting territories (feeding territory). Thus, males maintained two or three different kinds of territories. Territoriality of the cichlids was compared with that of damselfishes.