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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Lamprologus lemairii.jpg Lamprologus lemairii 'Bulu Point'.jpg Lamprologus lemairii 'Cape Chaitika'.jpg Lamprologus lemairii 'Cape Mpimbwe'.jpg Lamprologus lemairii 'Cape Nangu'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageLamprologus lemairii 'Cape Chaitika'<br><font color=gray>Lepidiolamprologus lemairii 'Cape Chaitika'</font>
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini/Lamprologus
Type locality: Moliro, Zaire [Democratic Republic of Congo], southern Lake Tanganyika.
Biotope: Lamprologus lemairii is a predatory species inhabiting intermediate habitats of Lake Tanganyika, occurring both in shallow waters and at considerable depths.
Geographic distribution: Distributed along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Typical adult size: Males grow up to approximately 25 cm in total length, while females are roughly one third smaller.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are significantly larger than females and possess longer fins.
Recommended aquarium size: 400 L
Aquarium setup: The aquarium should have a fine sand substrate. Rocks should be arranged to create as many passages and caves as possible to provide shelter. This species should be kept either as a pair or as one male with two to three females, together with sufficiently large Tanganyikan cichlids. Smaller species should be avoided, as they may quickly become prey.
Diet: Carnivorous predator. Its preferred prey consists of juvenile fishes of other cichlid species. Details of its feeding behavior in the lake are not fully known, but it is assumed to feed mainly at night, while daytime feeding is rare. Unlike actively hunting predators of Lake Tanganyika, Lamprologus lemairii employs an ambush strategy: it rests motionless on the sandy bottom, where its cryptic marbled coloration allows it to blend into the surroundings. Unsuspecting fish approach closely and are then captured by a sudden attack.
Breeding: Spawning takes place inside caves that are large enough to allow only the female to enter. Within a male’s territory there are usually two or three females. Clutch size typically ranges from about 100 to 150 fry. The female alone provides parental care, blocking the cave entrance with her body to prevent other cichlids from entering. She guards the eggs and fry as long as they remain inside the cave. Once the fry leave the cave, usually after around 20 days, they receive no further parental care.
Aggression: Relatively peaceful toward similarly sized fishes, but due to its large size and predatory nature, it must not be kept with small cichlids, which may be eaten.
Special notes: This species was originally described as Lamprologus lemairii by Boulenger in 1899 and was later placed in the genus Lepidiolamprologus. Subsequent DNA analyses demonstrated that it does not fit within Lepidiolamprologus and is instead closely related to Lamprologus callipterus, resulting in its return to the genus Lamprologus. Lamprologus lemairii is a highly distinctive lamprologine, combining a large body size with a cryptic marbled coloration and a unique ambush-based predatory strategy.

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Photo: © Jovan Curcic
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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