These ray-finned fishes are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in the East African Rift.

The scientific name refers to the bridle-like markings across the heads of members of this genus.

[1] This genus has a puzzling relationship with the extremely similar species placed in Julidochromis.

Yet another possibility is that Julidochromis is monophyletic and includes Chalinochromis; in this scenario males of the common ancestor of J. marlieri and J. regani would have hybridized with females of the common ancestor of Telmatochromis.

[1] Chalinochromis are popular aquarium fishes, and require similar care to Julidochromis.