Victoria Nyerere's Cichlid is native to the southern end of Africa's Lake Victoria, the largest lake by surface area but relatively shallow and where hundreds of unique species of cichlid have already been lost to pollution and the invasive introduction of the huge Nile Perch for human consumption. The colourful but aggressive breeding males are red, yellow and black and grow to 8cm long.

The females are olive grey-green with black stripes. Like many cichlids, the mothers brood the eggs and new young in their mouths to protect them.

The fish are named after Tanzania's first president.

This is one of several "Zebra" cichlids native to Lake Victoria and neighbouring lakes (eg Lake Kyoga). This one is native to the Tanzanian part of the lake and grows to 12cm long.