All fish / Cichlidae

Schreyen's Lamprologus

Neolamprologus schreyeni

Also known as lamprologus schreyeni, schreyen's cichlid, neolamprologus schreyeni

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This is a small, slender cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that lives among rocky crevices. It has a plain brownish to yellowish body and long dorsal and anal fins. Hobbyists who specialise in Tanganyikan dwarf cichlids keep it because it is rarely seen in the trade and is interesting to watch around rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

A pair, or a single male with one or two females

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi coast)

Breeding

It lays its eggs in caves or crevices and both parents guard the eggs and young, much like other small rock-dwelling Neolamprologus species. Breeding is fairly easy in hard, alkaline water once a compatible pair has formed, but you will seldom find stock to buy.

Good to know

The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable and it is known only from a short stretch of the Burundi shoreline, so try to buy captive-bred fish. It defends its territory and needs lots of rocky caves, and it should only be kept with other Tanganyikan species that suit its hard, alkaline water.