Page 157 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CICHLIDS/LAKE TANGANYIKA CICHLIDS 155

Neolamprologus brichardi
WATCHFUL PARENTS
Brichardi
The care that adult cichlids lavish on their one of the parents may try to bring them back
offspring frequently extends well beyond the to the group, sometimes even retrieving them ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to the rocky shoreline of
hatching period. Like the Giant Tanganyika in the mouth. Aquarium studies suggest that Lake Tanganyika.
Cichlids (Boulengerochromis microlepis) shown behavior of this type is acquired rather than SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
below, the family swims together, and the instinctive; indeed, where adult cichlids are faced DIET Cichlid diets, live foods, and vegetable matter.
watchful adults drive off potential predators. with no risk of brood predation, their parental WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
They warn their young of approaching danger instincts decline over several generations. The (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
by rippling their bodies in a distinctive way— addition of nonaggressive but active companions TEMPERAMENT Social and peaceful.
a behavior known as jolting—or by flashing their (often described as “dither fish”) to the tank will
brightly colored pelvic fins at their offspring. cause the adults to become more protective Extended rays on the caudal fin give these elegant
Should any of the fry lag behind, toward their offspring again. cichlids a lyre-tailed appearance; this feature is
most pronounced in males. Unlike many cichlids,
this species shoals readily. It is safe to keep a pair
with their offspring. They spawn several times in
succession, and the older fry may help the adults
to guard their younger siblings.
Extended tip
to dorsal fin

Bluish-white
tips to fins
Lamprologus signatus Neolamprologus leleupi
Signatus Leleupi

ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to deeper waters in the ORIGINS East Africa, found on both the western and
central part of Lake Tanganyika. eastern sides of Lake Tanganyika.
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (5.5 cm). SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (11 cm).
1
1
DIET Cichlid diets and live foods. DIET Cichlid diets and live foods, such as shrimp.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Intolerant of its own kind.
The dark background color of this fish is The color of this fish ranges from lemon through
interrupted by lighter vertical bands, which to rich yellow, with the northwestern race,
are more pronounced in the male. Adult N. l. melas, being a burnished brown. Carotene-
females are about 1 in (2.5 cm) smaller rich foods will help to maintain the color. The
than males. This enables them to occupy female, which has shorter pelvic fins than the
the empty shells of freshwater snails, male, spawns on the roof of a cave. While she
in which they can lay their eggs in lays up to 150 eggs, the male fiercely defends the
relative safety. Keep a single male in the entrance to the nesting cave. If the young Lelupis
company of several females and provide are not removed before they are six weeks old,
shells in the tank, allowing two or more they are likely to be eaten by their parents.
per female. Spare shells may be used as
retreats by newly hatched fry. Avoid Slim body
mixing these bottom dwellers with
other fish that frequent the lower
levels of the tank; rainbowfish
(see pp.176–179) are suitable
companions. Small weekly
water changes are advisable
for all Lake Tanganyika cichlids. Trailing pelvic fins

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