Tanganyika cichlids are a group of African cichlids from the Great Rift Valley region. All Tanganyika cichlids are native to Lake Tanganyika and many species are endemic to the lake. Lake Tanganyika comprises three main biotopes: the first one is the bottom which is covered in empty snail shell, the second consists of underwater reefs and the rocky shorelines that encircle the lake, and the third biotope is the large open water areas. Tanganyika cichlids are found in all three biotopes and the different species have adapted to these various environments. Source: Aquatic Community