Lamprichthys tanganicanus is a poecilid fish well identified as native to Lake Tanganyika. Since 2006, several individuals of this large killifish have been caught in Lake Kivu using gill nets, together with the clupeid Limnothrissa miodon. This new Lake Kivu invader is now widely established in the rocky littoral zone of Lake Kivu. Period of introduction and geographic origin of this fish species is still unknown. Mixed schools of Lamprichthys tanganicanus and Limnothrissa miodon fry were collected in the littoral zone of Lake Tanganyika suggesting that fry of the former species may have been accidentally introduced in Lake Kivu together with that of Limnothrissa miodon fifty years ago. Population genetics structure of this species has not yet been investigated in both native and introduction habitat.

This study aims to characterize population genetic structure and level of genetic diversity of this fish in both native and introduction habitat. Specific objectives of this study are to discern the introduction history and spread of L. tanganicanus in Lake Kivu including the origin of strains that have invaded Lake Kivu.