Cichlids of Lake Tanganika

Lake Tanganyika, Africa is the 6th largest lake in the world and home to numerous species of Cichlids.  Cichlids fill most every niche in the lake and live in rocky shorelines and deeper open water.  Some are substrate spawners, some use snail shells for breeding, and the majority are mouthbrooders..  Many of these fish make excellent aquarium fish, and they are both beautiful and interesting to observe.  We stock a variety of these Cichlids.  If you want to keep these beautiful fish we suggest you research each species before you buy, and plan your tank properly.   Best results are obtained when you devote the entire tank to their specific needs.
Housing:  Most fish require large tanks of at least 55 gallon, although a few species are suitable for smaller tanks. Many of the Neolamprolgus and Julidochromis genus are suitable for smaller tanks.  The tank should include plenty of stacked rocky areas in the rear with an open swimming room in the middle.  Calcareous gravel designed for African Cichlids is recommended in order to help maintain the proper mineral content and alkaline pH.    When you start a new tank purchase a biological starter such as "Fritz-Zyme" to establish biological filtration quickly.

 Water Conditions:   Water in lake Tanganyika is high in mineral content and has a very alkaline pH (about 8.0)Use pH buffers to maintain the proper pH.  A couple of power filters on the back and frequent partial water changes is recommended.   Temperature: 72-80.
Feeding:   Many species graze on algae on rocks.  In an aquarium feed a variety of foods including flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried or frozen foods. A high percentage of their diet should be greens. We recommend an African Cichlid specialty flake. Mysis shrimp and bloodworms are also good choices.   Frequent feeding of 2-3 times a day is best.
How Many to buy?  Mouthbrooding species can be purchased in groups.  Some of the substrate spawners can be purchased in pairs

Tankmates:  Some planning will have to go into your selection.  One method is to purchase small fish and let them grow. The tank should contain only African Rift Lake Cichlids.  It is not recommended to keep these fish with South American Cichlids or other freshwater tropical fish.

Here is a sampling of some of the Lake Tanganika Cichlids you may see at Elmer's Aquarium

Marleri Cichlid   grows to 3.5"  Julidochromis marlieri    A pretty cichlid that stays small.  Provide rocks and hiding spots near the bottom.  can be kept in tanks of 20 gallon or more.   A substrate spawner. Brichardi Cichlid   grows to 3"  Neolamprolgus brichardi    Also called the lyretail cichlid  A very pretty cichlid.  Body is elongated, gray with black patch on gill cover, white tips on fins. They can be kept in smaller tanks. (15 gal and up)   They are substrate spawners.  Best kept in groups in tanks with lots of rocks.  Good tankmates may include other Neolamprolgus species or Juliochromis species. 

Leleupi Cichlid   grows to 4"  Neolamprologus leleupi    A yellow body with blue eys.  Males have a larger head and more robust body.  A substrate spawner. Duboisi Cichlid   grows to 5"  Tropheus duboisi  A very pretty and popular Cichlid.  An algae grazer.  A mouthbrooder.  More mild-mannered than most Cichlids. 

We carry this book

Frontosa Cichlid   grows to 5"  Cyphotilapia frontosa  A very pretty and popular Cichlid.  Should have some shrimp and fish based food in diet.  Mild mannered and will not harm smaller tank mates. They are light blue with black stripes

Here are some other species of cichlids native to lake Tanganyika, Africa that you may encounter at Elmer's Aquarium:

Lamprologus ocellatus inhabit snail shells found in sandy areas throughout Lake Tanganyika.  These fish only get about 2 inches long, but there are numerous color variants which all are generally striking.  In the aquarium they should be fed high protein foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, tetra bits, and tetra growth flake.  This fish is a polygamous substrate spawner, and females deposit their eggs in the snail shells.

Neolamprologus caudopunctatus live in rocky/sandy areas and grow to about 3 inches.  They can be kept in large groups as long as there are plenty of rocks, and snail shells.  They eat zooplanktivore in nature, but can be fed in the aquarium various flakes, granules, brine shrimp, daphnia, and mysis shrimp.

Neolamprologus toae is a relatively peaceful cichlid that lives in rocky/sandy areas.  They get about 4 inches long and can be kept in groups of 6 or more.  Provide the aquarium with many rocks and feed high protein foods.  These fish are substrate spawners, but will only breed if they are the dominant fish of the aquarium.

Neolamprologus tretacephalus live in rocky/sandy areas.  They have 3 vertical black bars under their dorsal fin and achieve lengths near 6 inches. This species is somewhat aggressive and can be kept in pairs in a community tank or 1 male to several females in a larger aquarium (90 gal or more). These fish eat small fish and mollusks in the wild.  In the aquarium they should be fed frozen and live fish, frozen clams, krill, squid, and freeze dried plankton, krill, and flakes.

Neolamprologus sexfasciatus live in rocky/sandy areas.  Similar to Cyphotilapia frontosa, they have 4 black vertical bars under their dorsal fin, but are much narrower in proportion.  Husbandry requirements, breeding, and diet are similar to Neolamprologus tretacephalus.    

Neolamprologus tetracanthus is a larger elongate cichlid attaining lengths near 8 in.  It is typically found near the bottom in rocky/sandy areas.  They eat meaty foods in the wild such as crustaceans, mollusks (e.g., snails), and fish.  Try to feed similarly in the aquarium.  This fish is a substrate spawner and will breed easily if the water quality is good.

Altolamprologus compressiceps is an impressive fish with a deeply sloping forehead and laterally compressed body.  Some variants possess fluorescent yellow from their posterior to the tip of their snout.  Achieves lengths between 4 and 6 inches, with males being larger.  Somewhat peaceful and shy, but may chase smaller fish.  Supply caves for breeding and retreat.  Their choice of food in the wild consists mostly of invertebrates, but in the aquarium they will eat sinking pellets, and flakes.  However, they prefer live ghost shrimp and brine shrimp, frozen krill, brine shrimp, and mixtures of bloodworms, brine shrimp, and plankton.

Altolamprologus calvus is very similar to A. compressiceps in body form, behavior, and ecology.  In fact, as juveniles it is very hard to tell them apart.  Maintain these cichlids the same as described for A. compressiceps.

       

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