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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Cape Kachese.jpg Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Chimba.jpg Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Chituta Bay.jpg Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Kalambo Lodge.jpg Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Sumbu.jpg
Previous pageNext pageLamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' Chituta Bay
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini/Lamprologus
Biotope: Inhabits soft muddy substrates with scattered snail shells, which are relatively scarce. It is a shell-dwelling species that lives and breeds inside snail shells. Similar to Lamprologus ocellatus, shells are buried in the substrate, but unlike L. ocellatus the shells are buried with the entrance almost flush with the substrate surface, rather than oriented more vertically.
Geographic distribution: Originally defined from Zambian populations of Lake Tanganyika. Many Tanzanian populations are also considered conspecific, while the situation on the western (Congolese) coast remains less well documented.
Typical adult size: Males reach up to about 6 cm in total length. Females are slightly smaller, reaching up to approximately 4.5 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females and show slightly more extended fins.
Recommended aquarium size: 80 L
Aquarium setup: Use a fine sand substrate with several snail shells placed on top. The species lives in harems, and it is best to keep one male with three to four females, although pairs can also be kept in smaller aquaria. It is a relatively peaceful cichlid but defends a small territory around its shell very vigorously and will confront much larger cichlids if necessary. Suitable tankmates are Tanganyikan cichlids of similar size that occupy different areas of the aquarium.
Diet: Carnivorous. In nature it feeds on insect larvae and small crustaceans such as copepods. In the aquarium it readily accepts a variety of live and frozen foods.
Breeding: Spawning takes place inside the snail shell occupied by the female. The female deposits the eggs in the shell, which are then fertilized by the male. Clutch size usually ranges from about 15 to 50 eggs. The female may remain inside the shell until the fry become free-swimming. Even after leaving the shell, the fry stay close to it and are guarded by the female, which drives them back into the shell when danger threatens.
Aggression: Males can be quite aggressive toward conspecific males. Toward other species, aggression is mainly shown during defense of the shell territory.
Special notes: Lamprologus sp. 'ornatipinnis zambia' has been present in the aquarium hobby for many years, but most often under the incorrect name Lamprologus ornatipinnis. Its behavior is very similar to that of Lamprologus ocellatus, with males and females each occupying their own shell and territory. It differs from Lamprologus ornatipinnis by having fainter markings in the unpaired fins and an incomplete margin on the caudal fin.

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Photo: © Adrian Indermaur
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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