Haplochromis rubripinnis (Seehausen, Lippitsch & Bouton 1998)

A polygynous female mouth brooder with maternal parental care. At Python Islands in Lake Victoria, Tanzania, large, sexually active males are found most commonly from 3-5 m depth, suggesting that spawning takes place at those intermediate depths.

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 31

Confined to rocky substrates. Commonly found in the water column above rocky substrates. Occurs at depths between 1 (rarely) and at least 8 m. On moderately steep slopes, they usually stay several meters offshore, while they occur immediately inshore on steep slopes in the southern Mwanza Gulf, Lake Victoria. Feeds on zooplankton and insect larvae. The distribution of individuals in gill nets indicates that this species often forages in small shoals (Ref. 27668).

Haplochromis rubripinnis is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria. This species can reach a length of 10.4 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. This species may be placed back in the genus Lithochromis when a comprehensive review of Haplochromis is carried out.