Cichlidae

Lamprologus lethops

Lamprologus lethops

Skin covered eyes unpigmented body

• Tropical
• Lower river
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• Africa
• Small
• Tropical fish

Lamprologus lethops is a species of cichlid fish from areas with fast current in the Congo River in Central Africa, where it is believed to live in depths as great as 160 m (520 ft) or 200 m (660 ft) below the surface. It reaches up to about 12.5 cm (5 in) in standard length, with females being somewhat smaller than males, is all whitish in color (non-pigmented), and essentially blind as adult, as their eyes are covered in a thick layer of skin (only retain a slight sensibility to light). This is entirely unique among cichlids and an adaption to the perpetual darkness of its habitat, similar to the adaptions seen in cavefish.