Xenochromis

Xenochromis hecqui is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It is mainly found at depths of 6–100 m (20–328 ft),^[2] but has been recorded somewhat deeper, even in waters virtually devoid of oxygen.^[3] This species is a scale eater, consuming the scales off of other fishes, but will also feed on copepods.^[2] It can reach a total length of up to 30 cm (12 in). Currently it is the only known member of its genus.^[2] The specific name honours the Belgian Lieutenant Célestin Hecq (1859-1910), a member of the Belgian colonial forces fighting the slave trade who collected the type of this species.^[4]

Xenochromis
Illustration from Boulenger's species description (1899)
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cichliformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Genus:	Xenochromis Boulenger, 1899
Species:	X. hecqui
Binomial name
Xenochromis hecqui Boulenger, 1899
Synonyms
Perissodus hecqui (Boulenger, 1899)