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The Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is approximately 6,000 km in length, which runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in East Africa. The valley varies in width from thirty to one hundred kilometers, and in depth from a few hundred to several thousand meters. Within this valley, houses some of the oldest, most wonderous and extraordinary lakes filled with some of the nicest most colourful fish on earth. Not only is it known for it three main rift lakes; Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi, and Lake Tanganyika, but also known for being filled with some of the oldest fossils found to date.

Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is one of the worlds greatest lakes. It's ancient origin has resulted in the evolution of some of the nicest organisms, and known for it's cichlids. Lake tanganyika, or Lake Tanganjika (Native term), is the longest lake is the world measuring 670 km in length. It is the second largest lake in Africa, and the second deepest, at 1470 meters deep! Surrounding counties include Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and The Congo. The largest Catchng station where some of your Wild Caught fish come from is Mpulungu. Mpulungu is the only port in Zambia, in the most southern tip of the Lake consisting of the port, a few small shops, and native local fisherman. The inhabitants of Lake Tanganyika tend to be less colourful then those of Lake Malawi and Victoria, but the unique breeding habits and ways of colonization make up for the lack of colour.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi has some of the most colourful freshwater fish inhabitants in the world. Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa, and the ninth largest on earth. Previously, it was called Lake Nyassa, which is surrounded by the countries of Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. The country, Malawi's name, is named after Lake Malawi, which in native terms means "Flaming Waters," refering to the setting sun on Lake Malawi. Malawi is known for the beautiful colours of the cichlids that reside within. Versus Lake tanganyika which has interesting behaviour through out it's inhabitants, the breeding between Malawi Cichlids is generally the same. They are mouth brooding Cichlids, which incubate their eggs for generally 14-30 days in their mouth. These are much better bred in colonies, versus bonded pairs.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is Africas largest Lake, and also the world largest tropical lake at 68,800 square kilometers. The lake is relatively young, compared to the others such as Lake Tanganyika, on at an estimated 400,000 years old. From a fish aspect, the Nile perch and Nile Tilapia were introduced to the lake, in attemps to bring in more fish harvest for the surrounding countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. In turn, these fish wiped out most of the Victoria Haplochromines. Since discoved in 1858, the lakes population of over 400 different species of Cichlids, has now dropped to under 200. The Lake, once a crystal clear beautiful picture-perfect piece, is now full of unwanted chemicals, covered in algae and a stenchful mess. Most damage that has been done, is now irreversable, and over half of the most colourful cichlids from Victoria, now extinct.

The Haplochomines of Lake Victoria are probably the most colorful fish of all the rift lakes. They have spawning habits much the same as Lake Malawi Cichlids, and have the deepest array of colours all in one fish.