Orthochromis is a genus of relatively small haplochromine cichlids native to rivers and lakes in Eastern and Middle Africa. Most of its species are rheophilic.De Vos, L.; and L. Seegers (1998). Seven new Orthochromis species (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Malagarasi, Luiche and Rugufu basins (Lake Tanganyika drainage), with notes on their reproductive biology. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 9: 371—420.
As presently defined Orthochromis is polyphyletic.Schwarzer; Swartz; Vreven; Snoeks; Cotterill; Misof; and Schliewen (2012). Repeated trans-watershed hybridization among haplochromine cichlids (Cichlidae) was triggered by Neogene landscape evolution. Proc. R. Soc. B. 279: 4389—4398. Some Orthochromis species were formerly included in Schwetzochromis.
Species There are currently 14 recognized species in this genus: Orthochromis kalungwishiensis (Greenwood & Kullander, 1994) Orthochromis kasuluensis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis luichensis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis luongoensis (Greenwood & Kullander, 1994) Orthochromis machadoi (Poll, 1967) (Kunene Dwarf Happy) Orthochromis malagaraziensis (David, 1937) Orthochromis mazimeroensis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis mosoensis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis polyacanthus (Boulenger, 1899) Orthochromis rubrolabialis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis rugufuensis De Vos & Seegers, 1998 Orthochromis stormsi (Boulenger, 1902) Orthochromis torrenticola (Thys van den Audenaerde, 1963) Orthochromis uvinzae De Vos & Seegers, 1998
References C.Michael Hogan. 2012. Kunene River. eds. P.Saundry & C.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.