All fish / Cichlidae

Gracilis Lamprologus

Neolamprologus gracilis

Also known as neolamprologus gracilis, lamprologus gracilis, gracilis cichlid, slender fairy cichlid, gracilis, lamprologus brichardi gracilis, ネオランプロローグス・グラキリス, 细长公主

A slim Tanganyikan cichlid with a pale beige body, blue sheen and long white-edged dorsal and lyre-shaped tail fins, closely related to the familiar brichardi. Keepers enjoy its cooperative family life, where older young help guard new broods among the rocks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Pair or small family colony

Diet

Omnivore: quality pellets and flakes, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and cyclops, with some algae-based food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (endemic; Tanzania and DR Congo shores)

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves or rock crevices and both parents, with older siblings, defend the fry. It breeds readily in a rocky tank with hard alkaline water, and a colony soon forms.

Good to know

Belongs to the brichardi complex and hybridises freely with N. pulcher, N. savoryi and relatives, so do not mix them. Colonies become territorial and can be harsh on tankmates around the rockwork.