All fish / Cichlidae

Blackbelly Lamprologus

Neolamprologus nigriventris

Also known as black belly lamprologus, nigriventris, neolamprologus nigriventris, black-bellied neolamprologus, lamprologus nigriventris

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A small, slender rock-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika with a brownish body, a dark belly and fins edged in pale yellow or blue. It is related to the Brichardi complex and is kept for its interesting family behaviour in rockwork tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

A pair or one male with several females

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, mysis, brine shrimp, quality pellets and frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Zambia, southern lake)

Breeding

A substrate spawner that lays eggs in caves among rocks, with both parents guarding the brood. Breeding is fairly easy in hard, alkaline water, and older young may help defend later broods.

Good to know

Territorial towards its own kind and similar cichlids when breeding, so provide plenty of rockwork and caves. Rarely seen in the trade and sometimes confused with other Neolamprologus species.