All fish / Cichlidae

Petricola Cichlid

Neolamprologus petricola

Also known as petricola, lamprologus petricola, neolamprologus petricolus, black neolamprologus, ネオランプロローグス・ペトリコーラ

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A slender, dark brown to sooty black cichlid with pale or bluish edges to the long dorsal, anal and tail fins. It is kept by Tanganyika fans for its understated looks and interesting territorial and parenting behaviour among rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

A single pair, or one fish, in a rocky community of Tanganyikan cichlids

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania)

Breeding

A cave spawner that pairs off and lays eggs hidden inside rock crevices, with both parents guarding the fry. Breeding is fairly straightforward in a roomy, well aquascaped tank once a compatible pair forms.

Good to know

Very intolerant of its own kind and similar dark lamprologines, so keep only one pair and provide plenty of caves. Needs hard, alkaline, very clean water typical of Lake Tanganyika.