Neolamprologus fasciatus

Barred Lamprologus

Classification

Cichlidae

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

Habitat

It generally occurs in rocky areas but also may be found in shallow waters around the water’s edge.

Maximum Standard Length

5″ (15cm).

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

36″ x 15″ x 12″ (90cm x 37.5cm x 30cm) – 100 litres.

Maintenance

Should be housed in a Lake Tanganyika biotope setup, with piles of rocks arranged to form caves filling much of the aquarium. A sandy substrate is preferable.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 73-81°F (23-27°C)

pH: 7.5-9.0

Hardness: 8-25°H

Diet

Most live and frozen foods are readily accepted. Dried foods are rarely accepted.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Although it is a territorial species, it is generally peaceful towards fish it can’t fit into its mouth and is a good addition to a Tanganyikan community. Suitable tankmates include other Neolamprologus species, Julidochromis, Eretmodus and Telmatochromis. However it is quite shy and aggressive or very vigorous tankmates such as Mbuna should be avoided. It can be maintained singly, in pairs or as a group in a suitably sized tank.

Sexual Dimorphism

Unknown. It appears that the sexes are identical physically.

Reproduction

Not achieved in aquaria. It is known to spawn in caves and also in snail shells in nature.

NotesTop ↑

N. fasciatus is a predator by nature and its body shape has been adapted to allow it to enter small crevices and gaps in the rockwork of Lake Tanganyika to prey on invertebrates, eggs, fry and small fish. The lateral compression exhibited by this fish also makes the fish hard to spot head on, giving it an advantage over both its predators and prey. It hunts in a head down position a few feet above the substrate, moving its body in sinuous motions to counteract the water currents. It is sometimes confused with juvenile Altolamprologus species but can be easily distinguished by its blue-green iris and more elongate body shape.