Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Neolamprologus brevis 'Kigoma'.jpg Neolamprologus brichardi 'Kigoma'.jpg Neolamprologus cunningtoni 'Kigoma'.jpg Neolamprologus furcifer 'Kigoma'.jpg Neolamprologus mondabu 'Kigoma'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageNeolamprologus cunningtoni 'Kigoma'<br><font color=gray>Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni 'Kigoma'</font>
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini / Neolamprologus
Type locality: Moliro and Mbete, Lake Tanganyika, Zaire.
Biotope: Intermediate to sandy habitats in shallow waters.
Geographic distribution: Common along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Typical adult size: Males may reach up to 30 cm total length, while females rarely exceed 20 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females; otherwise the sexes are externally very similar.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 600 liters, with a recommended aquarium length of about 200 cm.
Aquarium setup: Due to its large size, need for spacious aquaria, and relatively plain coloration, this species is rare in aquaristics. The aquarium should have a sandy bottom with several large and smaller rocks arranged to form caves, which are essential for breeding. It should be kept as a pair and only together with sufficiently large cichlids. Any smaller fish that can fit into its mouth will be eaten.
Diet: Carnivorous. A true predator. Juveniles feed on various planktonic organisms, while adults are piscivorous and prey mainly on smaller cichlids. They will consume virtually anything they can swallow, including crustaceans. Xenotilapia species and shell-dwelling lamprologines are frequently taken as prey.
Breeding: A substrate spawner that breeds near rocks or shell beds, which is why nests are often located at the edges of intermediate habitats. Spawning takes place in a cave excavated among rocks. Breeding pairs turn very dark brown, almost black, and are clearly distinguishable from other individuals. Clutches may contain around 500 eggs. Once the fry become free-swimming, they remain above the nest and feed on plankton, though they may occasionally move several meters away together with the parents. Juveniles have attractively colored fins, with a yellowish dorsal fin, bluish anal fin, and a caudal fin that is yellow on the upper part and blue on the lower part.
Aggression: Intraspecific aggression can be pronounced. In nature the species lives either in pairs or solitarily.
Special notes: The largest species of the genus, characterized by a strongly elongated body and a high number of lateral line scales. White spots on the flanks resemble those of Neolamprologus tetracanthus, but are smaller; fins are shorter and lack conspicuous edgings, and the caudal fin is truncated rather than rounded. The species shows intermediate features between Neolamprologus and Lepidiolamprologus. Although once placed in Lepidiolamprologus due to scale characteristics and caudal shape, it lacks the ossified labial ligament typical of that genus and was therefore later removed from it. Despite being common in the lake, it is rarely kept in aquaria because of its size and subdued coloration, although some local populations show an attractive lemon-yellow hue on the upper body.

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Photo: © M. Kwolek-Mirek
Photo: © Pisces Farm
Photo: © Pisces Farm
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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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