All fish / Cichlidae

Fasciatus Cichlid

Neolamprologus fasciatus

Also known as altolamprologus fasciatus, lamprologus fasciatus, neolamprologus fasciatus, fasciatus lamprologus, banded lamprologus

This is a slender, predatory cichlid from the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika, with a sandy to yellowish body crossed by dark vertical bars. It is kept by Tanganyika enthusiasts who enjoy its ambush hunting behaviour and its bold presence in a rock-built tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

240 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: small fish, shrimp, mysis, krill and quality sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

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

Breeding

It spawns in caves or rock crevices, with the female guarding the eggs and the male defending the territory. Breeding is possible in captivity but finding a compatible pair is the main difficulty, as mismatched fish may fight.

Good to know

It will eat any fish small enough to swallow, so keep it only with robust tankmates of similar size. Sellers sometimes confuse it with Altolamprologus species, which have a much deeper body.