All fish / Cichlidae

Splendid Lamprologus

Neolamprologus splendens

Also known as lamprologus splendens, neolamprologus brichardi splendens, splendens fairy cichlid, zongwe lamprologus

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This is a small, slim rock-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, closely related to the fairy cichlid group, with pale beige to yellowish tones, fine blue markings on the face and lyre-shaped fins with long trailing tips. Keepers like it because it lives in family groups and shows interesting social behaviour in a rocky tank, while staying small.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

One pair, or a family colony in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika: only known from around Cape Zongwe, DR Congo

Breeding

It spawns in caves among rocks and both parents guard the eggs and fry, with older young often staying on to help protect later broods. Breeding a settled pair in hard, alkaline water is usually fairly easy, though the species itself is seldom seen in the trade.

Good to know

It needs hard, alkaline water and plenty of rockwork, and breeding colonies defend their territory hard against tankmates. It is easily confused with N. brichardi and N. pulcher, so buy from sellers who can confirm where the fish came from to avoid hybrids.