All About Cichlids

Rubricatochromis jebeli Lamboj & Koblmüller, 2026 — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Long known to aquarists, R. jebeli proved to be a distinct Guinean evolutionary lineage.

Rubricatochromis stephenthorntoni Lamboj & Koblmüller, 2026 — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Known to aquarists for decades, R. stephenthorntoni was finally confirmed as a distinct Guinean lineage.

Rubricatochromis fugax (Payne & Trewavas, 1976) — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Once lost in synonymy, Rubricatochromis fugax has re-emerged as a distinct Sierra Leone species.

Neolamprologus labrosus Takahashi, Snoeks & Satoh, 2026 — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

A conspicuously projecting upper lip makes Neolamprologus labrosus unlike any of its congeners.

Pelmatochromis exsul Trewavas, 1933 — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Once placed in Pelmatochromis, P. exsul is now included in R. guttatus.

The End of the ACA–CRC Partnership — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

After eleven and a half years of cooperation, the partnership between the American Cichlid Association (ACA) and the Cichlid Room Companion (CRC) is coming to an end. On February 9, 2026, the ACA Board of Trustees, currently chaired by Rich Bireley, decided to discontinue providing CRC access to ACA members and to stop using the ACA membership system integrated into CRC. Existing ACA-issued CRC tickets will remain valid until their individual one-year terms expire. The membership system will also continue operating through the end of 2026, providing reminders, renewal acknowledgments, and historical membership information for members recorded before February 9.

Lake Malawi’s Unfinished Conservation Promise — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

This editorial introduces “Lake Malawi’s Unfinished Conservation Promise” within the broader context of freshwater biodiversity, conservation practice, and environmental responsibility. It explains why the subject deserves attention, identifies the main questions or experiences around which the discussion is organized, and gives readers the background needed to approach the complete contribution. Written for aquarists, naturalists, and specialists, the article connects an accessible narrative with an informed editorial perspective. Readers will encounter the themes, historical setting, and biological or practical relevance that shape the discussion, while its distinctive evidence, observations, procedures, and conclusions remain for the full text. The piece offers an inviting point of entry for anyone wishing to understand the topic more deeply and to follow the author’s complete account.

Neolamprologus cancellatus: when a species becomes a question — by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

The story of Neolamprologus cancellatus illustrates how taxonomy can change when new evidence reshapes an original species concept. Described from Lake Tanganyika as a distinct cichlid, this unusual fish was later called into question because of its resemblance to other lamprologine species and its possible hybrid origin. Subsequent interpretations and genomic evidence indicate that the specimens represent natural hybrids involving Neolamprologus fasciatus and Telmatochromis vittatus, rather than a self-sustaining species. The case highlights the difference between a name that remains available under zoological nomenclature and a biological lineage accepted as a valid species.