All fish / Cichlidae

Marungu Lamprologus

Neolamprologus marunguensis

Also known as marunguensis, neolamprologus marunguensis, lamprologus marunguensis, marungu cichlid, dwarf brichardi, ネオランプロローグス・マルングエンシス, 马隆古公主

A small, slender Tanganyikan cichlid with a tan body, pale blue edging to the fins and a lyre-shaped tail with extended tips, much like a smaller version of the princess cichlid. It is kept for its fascinating cooperative family life, in which older young help guard later broods.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

One pair, which will form a family colony

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops, plus quality cichlid pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika, Marungu coast and southern lake (DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania)

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves among rocks, and the fry are guarded by both parents and older siblings. Breeding is easy in a well-set-up rockwork tank, and colonies grow steadily if left undisturbed.

Good to know

Becomes territorial and aggressive towards fish entering its rock cave, especially while breeding. Needs hard, alkaline water and plenty of stable rockwork; do not mix with soft-water species.