Lake Tanganyika cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Neolamprologus fasciatus 'Ulwile Island'.jpg Neolamprologus furcifer 'Ulwile Island'.jpg Neolamprologus savoryi 'Ulwile Island, Musi Point'.jpg Neolamprologus sp. 'caudopunctatus kipili' Ulwile Island.jpg Neolamprologus timidus 'Ulwile Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageNeolamprologus savoryi 'Ulwile Island, Musi Point'
Tribe / Genus: Lamprologini / Neolamprologus
Type locality: Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
Biotope: Inhabits rocky habitats throughout Lake Tanganyika and can be found in almost every rocky area around the lake, with the exception of Kombe, where the situation is considered unusual. Occupies depths between 10 and 40 m, which is deeper than most other princess species that are typically found between 5 and 25 m.
Geographic distribution: Rocky shores all around Lake Tanganyika; also tolerates deep sandy bottoms when rocks are present nearby.
Typical adult size: In the lake up to about 7 cm total length; in aquaria slightly larger, around 8–9 cm. Females remain noticeably smaller, around 6 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males and females are very similar in appearance; males are larger.
Recommended aquarium size: 100 L (for a pair)
Aquarium setup: A calm cichlid that can be kept as a pair, or as one male with two females, in an aquarium of about 100 L. In larger aquaria it may also be kept in a community Tanganyika setup, where it defends a relatively small territory. Provide abundant rockwork arranged to form many caves, use fine sand as substrate, and keep the lighting subdued.
Diet: Carnivorous, feeding mainly on invertebrates such as insect larvae and small crustaceans (copepods), but among the princess species it is the most omnivorous and also consumes small amounts of plant-derived material. In aquaria it should be offered a variety of live and frozen foods such as krill, mysis, and cyclops.
Breeding: A substrate spawner with loosely bonded pairs. In the lake the species is monogamous, while in aquaria males may become polygynous. Each sex maintains its own crevice, and the male visits the female only for spawning. The number of fry is extremely low, usually fewer than 10, similar to N. falcicula and N. sp. “Cygnus”. Fry and juveniles display vertical body stripes that fade with age.
Aggression: Relatively peaceful, but will aggressively defend its territory against other cichlids.
Special notes: Considered the most ancestral of the princess cichlids, giving its name to the Neolamprologus savoryi complex. It differs from other princess species by its darker coloration, which provides camouflage in deeper, dimly lit habitats, and by its shorter body. Juveniles show distinct vertical barring that disappears with age. The species is widespread throughout the lake and is highly tolerant of different rocky environments, occasionally occurring over deep sandy bottoms near rocks. A form referred to as N. sp. “Savoryi Fulwe” has been reported, said to differ by a more elongated body and the absence of vertical bars.

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