All fish / Cichlidae

Modestus Cichlid

Lamprologus modestus

Also known as neolamprologus modestus, lamprologus modestus, modest lamprologus, modestus

This is a plain, greyish brown lamprologine cichlid from the rocky shallows of Lake Tanganyika, with a long dorsal fin and sometimes a faint yellowish edge to its fins. It is kept by Tanganyika enthusiasts for its interesting pair behaviour and its habit of digging caves under rocks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

A single pair, or one fish

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, insect larvae, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, quality sinking pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia)

Breeding

A cave spawner that forms monogamous pairs; the female lays eggs inside a cave or under a stone and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding is fairly easy once a compatible pair has formed.

Good to know

Pairs become very territorial when breeding and will dig under rockwork, so set stones directly on the tank base. It is now usually placed in the genus Lamprologus, and is easily confused with other drab lamprologines such as N. mondabu.