Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Eretmodus marksmithi 'Kalugunga'.jpg Julidochromis cf. regani 'Kalugunga'.jpg Neolamprologus longior 'Kalugunga'.jpg Neolamprologus sp. 'princess kekese' Kalugunga.jpg Ophthalmotilapia sp. 'whitecap' Kalugunga.jpg
Previous pageNext pageNeolamprologus longior 'Kalugunga'
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini/Neolamprologus
Type locality: Kabogo Point, Kibwe Bay, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
Biotope: Rocky habitat rich in sediment.
Geographic distribution: Eastern Tanzanian coast of Lake Tanganyika, south of the Malagarasi River to the Ifume River.
Typical adult size: Up to about 10 cm in the lake. In aquarium it may grow about 1–2 cm larger. The maximum size given is up to 10 cm, and it may reach about 12 cm in aquarium.
Recommended aquarium size: 200 L (for a pair).
Aquarium setup: Arrange the aquarium with many hiding places (caves). It is best to keep only a pair, because this species is quite aggressive toward conspecifics. It is recommended to start with several juveniles and remove the extra individuals once a pair forms. In a sufficiently large aquarium (preferably 300 L or more), it can be kept with other small to medium Tanganyika cichlids such as Cyprichromis and Altolamprologus.
Diet: Carnivorous. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and other invertebrates found in aufwuchs and in rock crevices. In aquarium provide quality commercial foods and occasionally offer live and frozen foods such as mysis and krill.
Breeding: The pair bond is not tight; after spawning the pair often separates after about one month, and in aquarium the male may spawn with several females if available. Spawning takes place inside a cave owned by the female, which she uses to lure the male. The female lays eggs on the cave wall and the male fertilizes them. The clutch is usually 50–100 eggs (sometimes more). The female guards the eggs inside the cave, while the male guards the area in front of the cave, but typically leaves the female and fry within a few weeks.
Aggression: Quite aggressive toward conspecifics. Toward other species it is usually tolerant, but in some individuals this can change with age and they may become aggressive toward other species as well.
Special notes: A polychromatic species: even within the same population individuals may differ in coloration. Coloration also varies between populations, ranging from yellow and grey to very dark, almost black forms; the most popular in the hobby are vivid yellow to orange fish. Although it may be less known by name, it is very common in aquaria because many populations have long been sold under the name N. leleupi, following a period when Ad Konings considered N. longior a synonym of N. leleupi. Poll described N. longior in 1986 and it has recognized species status. Because N. longior was exported under the name “leleupi”, hybridization with N. leleupi likely occurred in the hobby, and many aquarium fish labeled N. leleupi may be N. longior or hybrids. Compared with N. leleupi, N. longior is more slender and elongated, whereas N. leleupi has a shorter, deeper body and may develop a small nuchal hump with age.

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Photo: © Mattia Matarrese
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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