tanganyika.si

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Lamprologus speciosus.jpg Lamprologus speciosus 'Bilila (Kavala) Island'.jpg Lamprologus speciosus 'Cape Tembwe'.jpg Lamprologus speciosus 'Kapampa'.jpg Lamprologus speciosus 'Kitumba'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageLamprologus speciosus 'Cape Tembwe'
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini/Lamprologus
Type locality: Near Bwassa, 7°25'S, 30°10'E, ca. 65 km south of Moba, Lake Tanganyika, Zaire (Congo).
Biotope: Shell-dwelling habitat on sandy to muddy substrates, typically in areas with low shell density. Empty Neothauma shells are buried in the substrate with only the opening visible. Fine sand and mud allow shells to be concealed and also enable fish to bury themselves in the substrate when shells are not immediately available.
Geographic distribution: Southwestern shores of Lake Tanganyika, reported from Myunga to Bwassa.
Typical adult size: Males reach a maximum total length of about 6 cm, with most individuals around 5 cm. Females are slightly smaller, reaching around 4 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexes are similar, but males are larger than females, which often show a rounder and lighter-colored belly.
Recommended aquarium size: 60 L
Aquarium setup: Provide fine sand with several empty snail shells, ideally Neothauma, at least one per fish. Shells should be partially buried. If shells are lacking, individuals may bury themselves in the sand when threatened. Males typically live in harems with two to three females, and both sexes inhabit shells and defend territories. Suitable tankmates include other small Tanganyikan cichlids that occupy different zones of the aquarium. Avoid large predators.
Diet: Carnivorous. Feeds mainly on chironomid larvae, with a smaller proportion of copepods. In the aquarium it accepts live and frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia, Cyclops, and insect larvae.
Breeding: Shell-brooder. Each sex occupies a separate shell. Spawning occurs inside the female’s shell and the eggs are fertilized by the male from the outside. Clutch size is typically 10 to 20 eggs. The female provides most parental care and aggressively defends the shell and fry.
Aggression: Despite its small size, it is highly territorial around the shell and defends its territory vigorously, especially during brood care. Aggression is also pronounced within the species.
Special notes: Member of the Lamprologus ocellatus species group and often called the “Black Ocellatus”. It is closely related to Lamprologus ocellatus and is distinguished by a dark-grey to black edge in the anal fin, as well as differences in body proportions and fin patterning.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Richard Vilhan
Photo: © Richard Vilhan
Photo: © Richard Vilhan
Photo: © Richard Vilhan
Photo: © Richard Vilhan
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© tanganyika.si