Altolamprologus calvus is a cichlid endemic to the southern shoreline of Lake Tanganyika in eastern Africa. The species has an extremely laterally compressed body and a high dorsal fin. Males may grow to 13 cm (5 inches), while females are normally smaller. It is physically similar to its close relative A. compressiceps, though it is less deep-bodied and has a longer snout. A. calvus is commonly kept as an aquarium fish in setups devoted to East African fish. Several local variants exist. Examples include: