All fish / Cichlidae

Leloupi Cichlid

Neolamprologus leloupi

Also known as leleupi, lemon cichlid, lamprologus leloupi, neolamprologus leleupi, orange leleupi, ランプロローグス・レロゥピィ, 金色小鲷

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A slim, rock-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlid, usually yellowish to brownish with a pale edge to its long fins, and often confused with the brighter orange N. leleupi. It is kept by fans of Tanganyika cichlids who want a small, characterful species for a rocky tank with hard, alkaline water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Single pair, or one fish

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, frozen mysis, brine shrimp, quality cichlid pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

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

Breeding

Pairs breed in caves, where the female guards eggs fixed to the rock while the male defends the area. Spawning is fairly easy once a compatible pair has formed, but forming a pair can take some time.

Good to know

It is territorial and will fight with its own kind or with similar cave-dwelling cichlids, so give it plenty of rockwork. Fish sold as leleupi are often a different species, so check what you are buying.