Editing Lake Tanganyika (section)

==Biology==
===Reptiles===
Lake Tanganyika and its associated wetlands are home to [[Nile crocodile]]s (including famous giant [[Gustave (crocodile)|Gustave]]), [[Zambian hinged terrapin]]s, [[serrated hinged terrapin]]s, and [[pan hinged terrapin]]s (last species not in the lake itself, but in adjacent lagoons).<ref name=Spawls2002>Spawls, Howell, Drewes, and Ashe (2002). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa. Academic Press, London. {{ISBN|0-12-656470-1}}.</ref> [[Storm's water cobra]], a threatened [[subspecies]] of banded water cobra that feeds mainly on fish, is only found in Lake Tanganyika, where it prefers rocky shores.<ref name=Spawls2002/><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Boulengerina annulata stormsi (Storm's water cobra). Attempted predation |author1-last=O'Shea |author1-first=Mark |author1-link=Mark O'Shea (herpetologist) |author2-last=Mcintyre |author2-first=P.B. |journal=Herpetological Review |volume=36 |issue=2 |page=189 |date=2005 |url=http://www.markoshea.info/oba4-3_zambia_tanzania03.php |access-date=2023-03-11 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202071348/http://www.markoshea.info/oba4-3_zambia_tanzania03.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Cichlid fishes===
[[File:Murky waters.jpg|thumb|A biologist collecting samples in 2020 in the murky waters of Lake Tanganyika for a study on the diet adaptations of cichlid fishes to better understand their evolution and speciation.]]
[[File:Neolamprologus brichardi.jpg|thumb|One of the many Tanganyika cichlids is ''[[Neolamprologus brichardi]]''. The complex behaviors of this species and its close relative ''[[Neolamprologus pulcher|N. pulcher]]'' have been studied in detail<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dierkesa |last2=Taborskya |last3=Kohler |year=1999 |title=Reproductive parasitism of broodcare helpers in a cooperatively breeding fish |journal=Behavioral Ecology |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=510–515 |doi=10.1093/beheco/10.5.510 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Balshine-Earn |last2=Lotem |year=1998 |title=Individual recognition in a cooperatively breeding cichlid : Evidence from video playback experiments |journal=Behaviour |volume=135 |issue=3 |pages=369–386 |doi=10.1163/156853998793066221}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wernera |last2=Balshineb |last3=Leachc |last4=Lotem |year=2003 |title=Helping opportunities and space segregation in cooperatively breeding cichlids |doi=10.1093/beheco/arg067 |journal=Behavioral Ecology |volume=14 |issue=6 |pages=749–756 |doi-access=free}}</ref>]]
Lake Tanganyika is home to at least 250 [[Endemism|endemic]] species of [[cichlid|cichlids]],<ref name=LTBP>{{Cite web |website=IW:LEARN {{pipe}} Documents |author1=Kelly West |title=Results and Experiences of the UNDP/GEF Conservation Initiative (RAF/92/G32) in Burundi, D.R. Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia |url=https://iwlearn.net/documents/6644 |access-date=2023-03-11 |date=28 February 2001 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311162707/https://iwlearn.net/documents/6644 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Undescribed taxon|undescribed species]] likely remain to be discovered.<ref name=MortiffTangDiv>{{Cite web |title=Lake Tanganyika and its Diverse Cichlids |url=https://www.cichlid-forum.com/threads/lake-tanganyika-and-its-diverse-cichlids.456196/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Cichlid Fish Forum |date=24 December 2009 |author1=Craig Mortiff |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311162711/https://www.cichlid-forum.com/threads/lake-tanganyika-and-its-diverse-cichlids.456196/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Almost all (roughly 98%) of the lake's cichlid species are found solely there, and nowhere else, thus making it a precious biological resource for the study of [[speciation]] and [[evolution]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Takahashi |first1=T. |last2=Hori |first2=M. |year=2012 |title=Genetic and Morphological Evidence Implies Existence of Two Sympatric Species in Cyathopharynx furcifer (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika |journal=International Journal of Evolutionary Biology |volume=2012 |page=980879 |doi=10.1155/2012/980879 |pmid=22675655 |pmc=3363988 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kornfield |first1=Ivy |last2=Smith |first2=Peter A |year=2000 |title=African Cichlid Fishes: Model Systems for Evolutionary Biology |journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics |volume=31 |pages=163–196 |doi=10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.31.1.163}}</ref> The cichlids of the [[African Great Lakes]], including Tanganyika, represent the most diverse extent of [[adaptive radiation]] in vertebrates.<ref name=":0" /> Some of the endemic species do occur slightly into the upper [[Lukuga River|Lukuga]] River (Lake Tanganyika's outflow), but any further distribution into the [[Congo Basin|Congo River basin]] is stemmed purely by geography and chemistry—Tanganyika's lake environment is far more stable and consistent than the [[rapids]] and fast-flowing sections of the Congo River. Additionally, Lake Tanganyika's water is [[Alkali|alkaline]] and of a higher [[pH]] (which the cichlids prefer), containing a higher [[calcium]] and mineral content than the Congo's [[Acid|acidic]], [[sediment]]-rich waters, which collect much organic detritus from the surrounding [[Rainforest|rainforests]]. In areas of the Congo away from rapids or [[whitewater]], the accumulated sediment and organic matter creates sections of "[[Blackwater river|blackwater]]", with a high concentration of [[Tannin|tannins]] from dissolving wood and leaves, creating an environment in which cichlids simply do not thrive.<ref name="Kullander2011" /> Likewise, many tropical riverine species would likely suffer if exposed to the crisp, alkaline lake water. 

Although Lake Tanganyika has fewer cichlid species than Lakes [[Lake Malawi|Malawi]] or [[Lake Victoria|Victoria]]—which both have experienced relatively recent explosive species [[Adaptive radiation|radiations]] (resulting in many closely related species)—,<ref name="Turner2001">{{cite journal |last1=Turner |first1=Seehausen |last2=Knight |first2=Allender |last3=Robinson |year=2001 |title=How many species of cichlid fishes are there in African lakes? |doi=10.1046/j.1365-294x.2001.01200.x |journal=Molecular Ecology |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=793–806 |pmid=11298988 |bibcode=2001MolEc..10..793T |s2cid=12925712 |doi-access=free}}</ref> its cichlids are the most [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] and [[Genetics|genetically]] diverse.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Meyer |last2=Matchiner |last3=Salburger |first1=Britta |first2=Michael |first3=Walter |date=25 November 2013 |title=A tribal level phylogeny of Lake Tanganyika cichlid fishes based on a genomic multi-marker approach |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2014.10.009 |pmid=25433288 |volume=83 |pages=56–71 |pmc=4334724}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seehausen |first=O. |year=2015 |title=Process and pattern in cichlid radiations – inferences for understanding unusually high rates of evolutionary diversification |journal=New Phytologist |doi=10.1111/nph.13450 |volume=207 |issue=2 |pages=304–312 |pmid=25983053 |doi-access=free}}</ref> This is linked to the maturity of Tanganyika, as it is far older than the other lakes.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nishida |first1=M |year=1991 |title=Lake Tanganyika as an evolutionary reservoir of old lineages of East African cichlid fishes: Inferences from allozyme data |journal=Experientia |volume=47 |issue=9 |pages=974–979 |doi=10.1007/bf01929896 |s2cid=37599331}}</ref> Tanganyika has the largest number of [[Endemism|endemic]] cichlid [[genera]] of all African lakes.<ref name=":0"/> All Tanganyika cichlids are in the subfamily [[Pseudocrenilabrinae]]. Of the 10 [[Tribe (biology)|tribes]] in this subfamily, half are largely or entirely restricted to the lake ([[Cyprichromini]], [[Ectodini]], [[Lamprologini]], [[Limnochromini]] and [[Tropheini]]),  while another three have species in the lake ([[Haplochromini]], [[Tilapiini]] and [[Tylochromini]]).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sparks |last2=Smith |year=2004 |title=Phylogeny and biogeography of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) |journal=Cladistics |volume=20 |issue=6 |pages=501–517 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-0031.2004.00038.x |pmid=34892958 |citeseerx=10.1.1.595.2118 |s2cid=36086310}}</ref> Others have proposed splitting the Tanganyika cichlids into as many as 12–16 tribes ([[Bathybatini]], [[Benthochromini]], [[Boulengerochromini]], [[Cyphotilapiini]], [[Eretmodini]], [[Greenwoodochromini]], [[Perissodini]] and [[Trematocarini]], in addition to the aforementioned tribes).<ref name=":0"/>

Most Tanganyika cichlids live along the shoreline, down to a depth of {{cvt|100|m|ft|-1}}, but some deep-water species regularly descend to {{cvt|200|m|ft|-1}}.<ref name=Kirchberger2012>{{cite journal |last1=Kirchberger |last2=Sefc |last3=Sturmbauer |last4=Koblmuller |year=2012 |title=Evolutionary History of Lake Tanganyika's Predatory Deepwater Cichlids |journal=International Journal of Evolutionary Biology |volume=2012 |pages=716209 |doi=10.1155/2012/716209 |pmid=22675652 |pmc=3362839 |doi-access=free}}</ref> ''[[Trematocara]]'' species have, exceptionally, been found at more than {{cvt|300|m|ft|-1}}, which is deeper than any other cichlid known.<ref>Loiselle, Paul (1994). The Cichlid Aquarium, p. 304. Tetra Press, Germany. {{ISBN|978-1564651464}}.</ref> Some of the deepwater genera (e.g., ''[[Bathybates]]'', ''[[Gnathochromis]]'', ''[[Hemibates]]'' and ''[[Xenochromis]]'') have been caught in places virtually devoid of oxygen, and how they are able to survive there is unclear.<ref name=McConnell1987/> Tanganyika cichlids are generally [[benthic]] (found at or near the bottom) and/or coastally.<ref name=Lindqvist1999>Lindqvist, O.V.; H. Mölsä; K. Solonen; J. Sarvala, editors (1999). From Limnology to Fisheries: Lake Tanganyika and Other Large Lakes. pp.&nbsp;213–214. Springer. {{ISBN|978-0792360179}}</ref> No Tanganyika cichlids are truly [[pelagic]] ''and'' offshore, except for some of the [[piscivorous]] ''Bathybates''.<ref name=Kirchberger2012/> Two of these, ''[[Bathybates fasciatus|B. fasciatus]]'' and ''[[Bathybates leo|B. leo]]'', mainly feed on [[Tanganyika sardine]]s.<ref name=Kirchberger2012/><ref name=McConnell1987/> Tanganyika cichlids differ extensively in [[ecology]], and include species that are [[herbivore]]s, [[detritivore]]s, [[planktivore]]s, [[insectivore]]s, [[molluscivore]]s, [[scavenger]]s, [[scale-eater]]s and piscivores.<ref name=MortiffTangDiv/> These dietary specializations, however, have been shown to be variable and subject to [[Opportunism|opportunistic]] changes. That is, many species of Tanganyikan cichlid with specialized diets showed opportunistic, episodic exploitation of ''[[Stolothrissa tanganicae]]'' and ''[[Limnothrissa miodon]]'' when prey concentrations were unusually high.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Golcher-Benavides J, Wagner CE |title=Playing out Liem's Paradox: Opportunistic Piscivory across Lake Tanganyikan Cichlids |journal=The American Naturalist |year=2019 |volume=194 |issue=2 |pages=260–267 |doi=10.1086/704169 |pmid=31318283 |s2cid=155438716}}</ref> The fishes' breeding behavior falls into two main groups: the substrate- or sand-spawners (often in caves or rock crevices) and the [[mouthbrooder]]s.<ref name=Schliewen1992>Schliewen, U. (1992). Aquarium Fish. Barron's Educational Series. {{ISBN|978-0812013504}}.</ref> Among the endemic species are two of the world's smallest cichlids, ''[[Neolamprologus multifasciatus]]'' and ''[[Neolamprologus similis|N. similis]]'' (both [[shell dweller]]s), measuring up to {{cvt|4-5|cm|in}},<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Neolamprologus | species = multifasciatus | month = March| year = 2017}}</ref><ref>{{FishBase | genus = Neolamprologus | species = similis | month = March| year = 2017}}</ref> and one of the largest, the [[giant cichlid]] (''Boulengerochromis microlepis'') at up to {{cvt|90|cm|ft}}.<ref name=MortiffTangDiv/><ref name=PracFishKeepLarge>{{cite web |url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/articles/the-10-biggest-cichlids |title=The 10 biggest cichlids |publisher=Practical Fishkeeping |date=13 June 2016 |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-date=20 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320052647/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/articles/the-10-biggest-cichlids |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, such as species from the genera ''[[Altolamprologus]]'', ''[[Cyprichromis]]'', ''[[Eretmodus]]'', ''[[Julidochromis]]'', ''[[Lamprologus]]'', ''[[Neolamprologus]]'', ''[[Tropheus]]'' and ''[[Xenotilapia]]'', are popular aquarium fish due to their bright colors and patterns, and interesting behaviors.<ref name=Schliewen1992/> Recreating a Lake Tanganyika [[biotope]] to host those cichlids in a habitat similar to their natural environment is also popular in the aquarium hobby, with many species today being bred in captivity successfully.<ref name=Schliewen1992/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aquariumslife.com/featured/lake-tanganyika-biotope/ |title=tanganyika biotope aquarium |date=2010-02-10 |publisher=Aquariums Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302102920/http://www.aquariumslife.com/featured/lake-tanganyika-biotope/ |archive-date=2012-03-02 |url-status=usurped |access-date=2014-02-03}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="100" perrow="5" caption="Cichlid tribes in Lake Tanganyika (E = tribe endemic or near-endemic)">
File:Bathybates ferox.jpg|[[Bathybatini]] (E): ''[[Bathybates ferox]]'' is [[benthic]] and [[piscivorous]], but the genus also includes pelagic species.<ref name=Kirchberger2012/> The tribe is sometimes split in three, others being [[Hemibatini]] and [[Trematocarini]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meyer |last2=Matchiner |last3=Salburger |year=2015 |title=Lake Tanganyika—A 'Melting Pot' of Ancient and Young Cichlid Lineages (Teleostei: Cichlidae)? |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=7 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0125043 |pmid=25928886 |page=e0125043 |pmc=4415804 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1025043W |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Weiss2015>{{Cite journal |last1=Weiss |last2=Cotterill |last3=Schliewen |year=2015 |title=A tribal level phylogeny of Lake Tanganyika cichlid fishes based on a genomic multi-marker approach |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=83 |pages=56–71 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2014.10.009 |pmid=25433288 |pmc=4334724}}</ref>
File:Benthochromis tricoti.jpg|[[Benthochromini]] (E): ''[[Benthochromis horii]]'' was scientifically described in 2008, but has often been misidentifed as ''[[Benthochromis tricoti|B. tricoti]]''<ref>{{cite journal |title=Description of a new cichlid fish species of the genus Benthochromis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika |last1=Takahashi |journal=Journal of Fish Biology |volume=72 |issue=3 |pages=603–613 |year=2008 |doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01727.x |first1=T.|bibcode=2008JFBio..72..603T }}</ref>
File:DKoehl Boulengerochromis microlepis.jpg|[[Boulengerochromini]] (E): ''[[Boulengerochromis microlepis]]'' is one of the world's largest cichlids<ref name=PracFishKeepLarge/> and only member of its tribe<ref name=Weiss2015/>
File:Cyphotilapia frontosa2.jpg|[[Cyphotilapiini]] (E): ''[[Cyphotilapia frontosa]]'', one of only two similar species in the [[Tribe (biology)|tribe]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Takahashi |first1=T. |last2=Nakaya |first2=K. |year=2003 |title=New species of Cyphotilapia (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika, Africa |journal=Copeia |volume=2003 |issue=4 |pages=824–832 |doi=10.1643/ia03-148.1 |s2cid=83854866}}</ref>
File:Kleinschuppiger Kaerpflingsbuntbarsch Cyprichromis microlepidotus Tierpark Hellabrunn-1.jpg|[[Cyprichromini]] (E): ''[[Cyprichromis microlepidotus]]'' and other members of this tribe are open-water [[planktivore]]s<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Bigirimana, C. |date=2006 |title=''Cyprichromis microlepidotus'' |volume=2006 |page=e.T60487A12363286 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60487A12363286.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=Smith1998>Smith, M.P. (1998). Lake Tanganyikan Cichlids, pp. 9–10. {{ISBN|0-7641-0615-5}}</ref>
File:Ophthalmotilapia nasuta Kipili.jpg|[[Ectodini]] (E): ''[[Ophthalmotilapia nasuta]]'' (male) is [[sexually dimorphic]], males being more colorful with longer fins and nose<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ophthalmotilapia nasuta |website=Seriously Fish |url=https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/ophthalmotilapia-nasuta/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311162708/https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/ophthalmotilapia-nasuta/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
File:Eretmodus-sp-kavala1.jpg|[[Eretmodini]] (E): ''[[Eretmodus cyanostictus]]'' lives near the bottom in the turbulent, coastal [[surf zone]],<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Eretmodus | species = cyanostictus | month = April| year = 2017}}</ref> like other members of its tribe<ref name=Smith1998/>
File:Astatotilapia burtoni.png|[[Haplochromini]]: ''[[Astatotilapia burtoni]]'' is one of the few Tanganyika species,<ref name=FishbaseList/> unlike other [[African Great Lakes]] where most belong to this tribe<ref name=Lowe2009>{{cite journal |last1=Lowe-McConnell |first1=R |year=2009 |title=Fisheries and cichlid evolution in the African Great Lakes: progress and problems |journal=Freshwater Reviews |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=131–151 |doi=10.1608/frj-2.2.2 |s2cid=54011001}}</ref>
File:Schachbrett-Schlankcichlide.jpg|[[Lamprologini]] (E): ''[[Julidochromis marlieri]]'' is popular in the [[aquarium]] trade where members of the genus are known as "Julies"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Julidochromis marlieri (Marlier's Julie) |website=Seriously Fish |url=https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/julidochromis-marlieri/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311162711/https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/julidochromis-marlieri/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
File:Gnathochromis premaxillaris.jpg|[[Limnochromini]] (E): ''[[Gnathochromis permaxillaris]]'' is a [[Planktivore|zooplanktivore]] with an unusual protractile mouth<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Bigirimana, C. |date=2006 |title=''Gnathochromis permaxillaris'' |volume=2006 |page=e.T60493A12364587 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60493A12364587.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
File:Perissodus microlepis juvenile in aquarium.jpg|[[Perissodini]] (E): ''[[Perissodus microlepis]]'', a specialized [[scale-eating]] species<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=T.A. |last2=Albertson |first2=R.C. |year=2010 |title=Evolution of a unique predatory feeding apparatus: functional anatomy, development and a genetic locus for jaw laterality in Lake Tanganyika scale-eating cichlids |journal=BMC Biology |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=8 |doi=10.1186/1741-7007-8-8 |pmid=20102595 |pmc=2828976 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
File:Oreochromis tanganicae (Günther).jpg|[[Tilapiini]]: ''[[Oreochromis tanganicae]]'' is one of the most common coastal species found in local [[fish market]]s<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Ntakimazi, G. |date=2006 |title=''Oreochromis tanganicae'' |volume=2006 |page=e.T60625A12387918 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60625A12387918.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
File:TropheusspRed200.jpg|[[Tropheini]] (E): ''[[Tropheus moorii]]'' ("red" Chimba [[Polymorphism (biology)|morph]]) is highly variable and the [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]] of some of the morphs is questionable<ref>Begon, M.; and A.H. Fitter (1995). Advances in Ecological Research, vol. 26, p. 203. {{ISBN|0-12-013926-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Salzburger |last2=Niederstätter |last3=Brandstätter |last4=Berger |last5=Parson |last6=Snoeks |last7=Sturmbauer |year=2006 |title=Colour-assortative mating among populations of Tropheus moorii, a cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika, East Africa |journal=Proc Biol Sci |volume=273 |issue=1584 |pages=257–266 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2005.3321 |pmid=16543167 |pmc=1560039}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tropheus Genus Evolution |url=http://www.cichlidworld.eu/clanky/evolucia_tropheus_e.htm |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Cichlid World |author1=Robert Toman |date=2017 |archive-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919232102/http://www.cichlidworld.eu/clanky/evolucia_tropheus_e.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
</gallery>

===Other fish===
[[File:Lamprichthys tanganicanus.JPG|thumb|The [[Tanganyika killifish]] (''Lamprichthys tanganicanus'') is the only member of its genus<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Lamprichthys | month = March| year = 2017}}</ref>]]
Lake Tanganyika is home to more than 80 species of non-cichlid fish and about 60% of these are endemic.<ref name=Wright2006/><ref name=LTBP/><ref name=Brown2011>{{cite journal |last1=Brown |last2=Britz |last3=Bills |last4=Rüber |last5=Day |year=2011 |title=Pectoral fin loss in the Mastacembelidae: a new species from Lake Tanganyika |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=284 |issue=4 |pages=286–293 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00804.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wright |first1=J.J. |last2=Bailey |first2=R.M. |year=2012 |title=Systematic revision of the formerly monotypic genus Tanganikallabes (Siluriformes: Clariidae) |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91200/1/j.1096-3642.2011.00789.x.pdf |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=165 |issue=1 |pages=121–142 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00789.x |doi-access=free}}</ref>

The open waters of the pelagic zone are dominated by four non-cichlid species: Two species of "Tanganyika sardine" (''[[Limnothrissa miodon]]'' and ''[[Stolothrissa tanganicae]]'') form the largest [[biomass]] of fish in this zone, and they are important prey for the [[forktail lates]] (''Lates microlepis'') and [[sleek lates]] (''L. stappersii'').<ref name=Lindqvist1999/> Two additional lates are found in the lake, the [[Tanganyika lates]] (''L. angustifrons'') and [[bigeye lates]] (''L. mariae''), but both these are primarily benthic hunters, although they also may move into open waters.<ref name=Lindqvist1999/> The four lates, all endemic to Tanganyika, have been overfished and larger individuals are rare today.<ref name=Lindqvist1999/>

Among the more unusual fish in the lake are the endemic, [[Facultative parasite|facultatively]] [[brood parasitic]] "cuckoo catfish", including at least ''[[Synodontis grandiops]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Synodontis grandiops • Mochokidae |date=2020 |url=https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=710 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.planetcatfish.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232617/https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=710 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Synodontis multipunctatus|S. multipunctatus]]''.<ref name=Wright2006/><ref name=Schliewen1992/> A number of others are very similar (e.g., ''[[Synodontis lucipinnis|S. lucipinnis]]'' and ''[[Synodontis petricola|S. petricola]]'') and have often been confused; it is unclear if they have a similar behavior.<ref name=Wright2006/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Synodontis lucipinnis • Mochokidae |date=2023 |url=https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=103 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.planetcatfish.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232507/https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=103 |url-status=live }}{{pb}}{{Cite web |title=Synodontis petricola • Mochokidae |date=2023 |url=https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=857 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.planetcatfish.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232823/https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=857 |url-status=live }}</ref> The facultative brood parasites often lay their eggs synchronously with mouthbroding cichlids. The cichlid pick up the eggs in their mouth as if they were their own. Once the catfish eggs hatch the young eat the cichlid eggs.<ref name=Wright2006/><ref name=Schliewen1992/> Six catfish genera are entirely restricted to the lake basin: ''[[Bathybagrus]]'', ''[[Dinotopterus]]'', ''[[Lophiobagrus]]'', ''[[Phyllonemus]]'', ''[[Pseudotanganikallabes]]'' and ''[[Tanganikallabes]]''.<ref name=FishbaseList>{{Cite web |title=Species in the Tanganyika |url=https://www.fishbase.se/TrophicEco/FishEcoList.php?ve_code=4 |access-date=2023-03-11 |type=table |website=www.fishbase.se |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311162720/https://www.fishbase.se/TrophicEco/FishEcoList.php?ve_code=4 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Wright, J.J. |year=2017 |title=A new diminutive genus and species of catfish from Lake Tanganyika (Siluriformes: Clariidae) |journal=J Fish Biol |doi=10.1111/jfb.13374 |volume=91 |issue=3 |pages=789–805 |pmid=28744868|bibcode=2017JFBio..91..789W }}</ref> Although not endemic on a genus level, six species of ''[[Chrysichthys]]'' catfish are only found in the Tanganyika basin where they live both in shallow and relatively deep waters;<ref name=FishbaseList/> in the latter habitat they are the primary predators and scavengers.<ref name=McConnell1987/> A unique [[evolutionary radiation]] in the lake is the 15 species of ''[[Mastacembelus]]'' spiny eels, all but one endemic to its basin.<ref name=Brown2011/><ref name=Brown2010>{{cite journal |last1=Brown |last2=Rüber |last3=Bills |last4=Day |year=2010 |title=Mastacembelid eels support Lake Tanganyika as an evolutionary hotspot of diversification |journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology |volume=10 |page=188 |doi=10.1186/1471-2148-10-188 |pmid=20565906 |pmc=2903574 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Although other African Great Lakes have ''Synodontis'' catfish, endemic catfish genera and ''Mastacembelus'' spiny eels, the relatively high diversity is unique to Tanganyika, which likely is related to its old age.<ref name=Brown2010/>

Among the non-endemic fish, some are widespread African species but several are only shared with the Malagarasi and Congo River basins, such as the [[Congo bichir]] (''Polypterus congicus''), [[goliath tigerfish]] (''Hydrocynus goliath''), ''[[Citharinus]] citharus'', [[six-banded distichodus]] (''Distichodus sexfasciatus'') and [[mbu puffer]] (''Tetraodon mbu'').<ref name=FishbaseList/>

===Molluscs and crustaceans===
[[File:Tiphobia horei 01.JPG|thumb|The shell of the endemic thalassoid freshwater snail ''[[Tiphobia horei]]'' with its elaborate shape and spines.]]
A total of 83 [[freshwater snail]] species (65 endemic) and 11 [[bivalve]] species (8 endemic) are known from the lake.<ref name=Darwall2011>{{cite book |editor1=Darwall, W. |editor2=Smith, K. |editor3=Allen, D. |editor4=Holland, R. |editor5=Harrison, I. |editor6=Brooks, E. |year=2011 |journal=The Diversity of Life in African Freshwaters: Under Water, Under Threat. An Analysis of the Status and Distribution of Freshwater Species Throughout Mainland Africa |author1=Seddon, M. |author2=Appleton, C. |author3=Van Damme, D. |author4=Graf, D. |title=Freshwater molluscs of Africa: diversity, distribution, and conservation |publisher=IUCN |pages=92–119 |isbn=978-2831713458}}</ref> Among the endemic bivalves are three [[monotypic]] genera: ''[[Grandidieria burtoni]]'', ''[[Pseudospatha tanganyicensis]]'' and ''[[Brazzaea anceyi]]''.<ref name=Darwall2011/> Many of the snails are unusual for species living in freshwater in having noticeably thickened shells and/or distinct [[Sculpture (mollusc)|sculpture]], features more commonly seen in marine snails. They are referred to as thalassoids, which can be translated to "marine-like".<ref name=Snail>Brown, D. (1994). ''Freshwater Snails Of Africa And Their Medical Importance.'' 2nd edition. {{ISBN|0-7484-0026-5}}</ref> All the Tanganyika thalassoids, which are part of [[Prosobranchia]], are endemic to the lake.<ref name=Snail/> Initially they were believed to be related to similar marine snails, but they are now known to be unrelated. Their appearance is now believed to be the result of the highly diverse habitats in Lake Tanganyika and [[evolutionary pressure]] from snail-eating fish and, in particular, ''[[Platythelphusa]]'' crabs.<ref name=LTBP/><ref name=Snail/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=West |first1=K. |last2=Cohen |first2=A. |year=1996 |title=Shell microstructure of gastropods from Lake Tanganyika, Africa: adaptation, convergent evolution, and escalation. |journal=Evolution |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=672–682 |doi=10.2307/2410840 |jstor=2410840 |pmid=28568935}}</ref> A total of 17 freshwater snail genera are endemic to the lake, such as ''[[Hirthia]]'', ''[[Lavigeria]]'', ''[[Paramelania]]'', ''[[Reymondia]]'', ''[[Spekia]]'', ''[[Stanleya neritinoides|Stanleya]]'', ''[[Tanganyicia]]'' and ''[[Tiphobia]]''.<ref name=Snail/> There are about 30 species of non-thalassoid snails in the lake, but only five of these are endemic, including ''[[Ferrissia tanganyicensis]]'' and ''[[Neothauma tanganyicense]]''.<ref name=Snail/> The latter is the largest Tanganyika snail and its shell is often used by small [[Shell dwellers|shell-dwelling cichlids]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Koblmüller |last2=Duftner |last3=Sefc |last4=Aibara |last5=Stipacek |last6=Blanc |last7=Egger |last8=Sturmbauer |year=2007 |title=Reticulate phylogeny of gastropod-shell-breeding cichlids from Lake Tanganyika — the result of repeated introgressive hybridization. |doi=10.1186/1471-2148-7-7 |journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology |volume=7 |page=7 |pmid=17254340 |pmc=1790888 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Crustaceans are also highly diverse in Tanganyika with more than 200 species, of which more than half are endemic.<ref name=LTBP/> They include 10 species of [[freshwater crab]]s (9 ''Platythelphusa'' and ''[[Potamonautes platynotus]]''; all endemic),<ref name=crabs>{{cite journal |last1=Marijnissen |last2=Michel |last3=Daniels |last4=Erpenbeck |last5=Menken |last6=Schram |year=2006 |title=Molecular evidence for recent divergence of Lake Tanganyika endemic crabs (Decapoda: Platythelphusidae) |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=628–634 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.025 |pmid=16647274}}</ref> at least 11 species of small [[Atyidae|atyid]] shrimp (''[[Atyella]]'', ''[[Caridella]]'' and ''[[Limnocaridina]]''),<ref name=Atyid>{{cite journal |last1=Fryer |first1=G |year=2006 |title=Evolution in ancient lakes: radiation of Tanganyikan atyid prawns and speciation of pelagic cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi. |doi=10.1007/s10750-006-0322-x |journal=Hydrobiologia |volume=568 |issue=1 |pages=131–142 |s2cid=44127332}}</ref> an endemic [[Palaemonidae|palaemonid]] shrimp (''[[Macrobrachium]] moorei''),<ref>{{cite iucn |author=De Grave, S. |date=2013 |title=''Macrobrachium moorei'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T196882A2477768 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T196882A2477768.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> about 100 [[ostracod]]s,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Martens |last2=Schön |last3=Meisch |last4=Horne |year=2008 |title=Global diversity of ostracods (Ostracoda, Crustacea) in freshwater |journal=Hydrobiologia |volume=595 |pages=185–193 |doi=10.1007/s10750-007-9245-4 |s2cid=207150861}}</ref> including many endemics,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gitter |first1=F. |last2=Gross |first2=M. |last3=Piller |first3=W.E. |year=2015 |title=Sub-Decadal Resolution in Sediments of Late Miocene Lake Pannon Reveals Speciation of Cyprideis (Crustacea, Ostracoda) |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=4 |page=e0109360 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0109360 |pmid=25902063 |pmc=4406499 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1009360G |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schön |first1=I. |last2=Martens |first2=K. |year=2012 |title=Molecular analyses of ostracod flocks from Lake Baikal and Lake Tanganyika |journal=Hydrobiologia |volume=682 |issue=1 |pages=91–110 |doi=10.1007/s10750-011-0935-6 |s2cid=14831643}}</ref> and several [[copepod]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cirhuza |first1=D.M. |last2=Plisnier |first2=P.-D. |year=2016 |title=Composition and seasonal variations in abundance of Copepod (Crustacea) populations from the northern part of Lake Tanganyika |url=https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/248670 |journal=Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=401–410 |doi=10.1080/14634988.2016.1251277 |hdl=2268/248670 |s2cid=90502032 |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722064916/https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/248670 |url-status=live }}</ref> Among these, ''Limnocaridina iridinae'' lives inside the [[Mantle (mollusc)|mantle]] cavity of the [[Unionidae|unionid]] mussel ''[[Pleiodon spekei]]'', making it one of only two known [[commensal]] species of freshwater shrimp (the other is the sponge-living ''[[Caridina spongicola]]'' from [[Lake Towuti]], Indonesia).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=De Grave |first1=S. |last2=Cai |first2=Y. |last3=Amnker |first3=A. |year=2008 |title=Global diversity of shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea) in freshwater |journal=Hydrobiologia |volume=595 |pages=287–293 |doi=10.1007/s10750-007-9024-2 |s2cid=22945163}}</ref><ref>{{cite iucn |author=De Grave, S. |date=2013 |title=''Limnocaridina iridinae'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T198058A2510158 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T198058A2510158.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>

Among [[Rift Valley lakes]], Lake Tanganyika far surpasses all others in terms of crustacean and freshwater snail richness (both in total number of species and number of endemics).<ref name=Mollusc>Segers, H.; and Martens, K; editors (2005). ''The Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystems.'' p. 46. Developments in Hydrobiology. Aquatic Biodiversity. {{ISBN|1-4020-3745-7}}</ref> For example, the only other Rift Valley lake with endemic freshwater crabs are Lake Kivu and Lake Victoria with two species each.<ref>Cumberlidge, N.; and Meyer, K. S. (2011). ''[http://commons.nmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=facwork_journalarticles A revision of the freshwater crabs of Lake Kivu, East Africa.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725112334/http://commons.nmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=facwork_journalarticles |date=25 July 2014 }}'' Journal Articles. Paper 30.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cumberlidge |first1=N. |last2=Clark |first2=P.F. |year=2017 |title=Description of three new species of Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838 from the Lake Victoria region in southern Uganda, East Africa (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) |journal=European Journal of Taxonomy |issue=371 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.5852/ejt.2017.371 |doi-access=free|hdl=10141/622400 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

===Other invertebrates===
The diversity of other invertebrate groups in Lake Tanganyika is often not well-known, but there are at least 20 described species of [[leech]]es (12 endemics),<ref name=SegersMartens>Segers, H.; and Martens, K; editors (2005). ''The Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystems.'' p. 44. Developments in Hydrobiology. Aquatic Biodiversity. {{ISBN|1-4020-3745-7}}</ref> 9 [[sponge]]s (7 endemic), 6 [[bryozoa]] (2 endemic), 11 [[flatworm]]s (7 endemic), 20 [[nematode]]s (7 endemic), 28 [[annelid]]s (17 endemic)<ref name=LTBP/> and the small [[hydrozoa]]n jellyfish ''[[Limnocnida]] tanganyicae''.<ref>Salonen; Högmander; Langenberg; Mölsä; Sarvala; Tarvainen; and Tiirola (2012). ''Limnocnida tanganyicae medusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa): a semiautonomous microcosm in the food web of Lake Tanganyika.'' Hydrobiologia 690(1): 97–112.</ref>