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Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps
tanganyika.si
Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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Shell groups are typically located near rocks, where L. callipterus also resides. Most shell beds occur at depths around 10 m, but the species can also be found much deeper, down to about 40 m.
To closely mimic natural behavior, shells should not be oversized. The most suitable are shells of the Tanganyikan snail Neothauma. Other shells can be used, but they must be small enough that only females can enter. If shells are too large, the male may enter a shell containing guarded fry and may even eat them.
This species lives in harems, therefore one male should be kept with several females (three or more). In the lake, a male typically controls a much larger harem, on average around 12 females.
They are suitable for community aquaria. The male defends the territory over the shell group but is otherwise relatively tolerant of other cichlids. Suitable tankmates include species from genera such as Cyprichromis and Xenotilapia.
Because nearby rocks reduce the flow of plankton above shell beds, this species often moves away from the shells to obtain sufficient food. Non-territorial males therefore form larger groups while feeding in the water column, which reduces predation risk.
Females usually remain closer to the shells and feed mainly on small invertebrates in their vicinity.
In the aquarium, offer a variety of live and frozen foods such as Cyclops, Artemia, Daphnia, and other small invertebrates.
Spawning begins when the female attracts the male to her shell. Because the male is too large to enter, fertilization occurs when he releases milt directly into the shell opening.
Like L. callipterus, this species practices polygyny and mates with several females. Dwarf or sneaker males may exploit the absence of the dominant male and fertilize eggs opportunistically.
Brood size is usually between about 25 and 50 fry.
Distinguished from most small lamprologines by a relatively high number of gill rakers (18–21 on the lower outer gill arch). It closely resembles N. brevis in coloration, but males of N. calliurus always have a crescent-shaped tail, often with long filaments, and both sexes show a bright orange patch on the nape behind the eye.
The species is strongly associated with Lamprologus callipterus, which creates and controls large shell beds. The presence of N. calliurus may reduce predation pressure on the offspring of L. callipterus by diluting predation risk.
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