Elongated Lamprologus (Lepidiolamprologus elongatus)

Elongated Lamprologus Lepidiolamprologus elongatus
Name	Elongated Lamprologus
Name Lat.	Lepidiolamprologus elongatus
Synonym	Lamprologus elongatus
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Rocky intermediate zone
Diet	Carnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Predatory, aggressive
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Experts only
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	15-25 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	~ 500 l
US Units
Size	6"-10"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	~ 130 gal

Distribution and habitat

The narrowmouth bass are found exclusively (endemically) in Lake Tanganyika, where they are distributed seaward along the rocky shores. There they live in the rugged rocky littoral and in the transition zone of 5-50 meters depth.

Maintenance

The aquarium setup should have rocky structures that reach to the water surface, with plenty of caves, crevices and shelters to provide hiding places, as well as some open sandy areas.

No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

In the wild they feed mainly on small fish, small crustaceans and insect larvae. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for Tanganyika cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as daphnia, artemia, mysis, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen)

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are predatory and territorial fish that occupy territories which they defend vigorously against conspecifics. During the breeding season they are also aggressive towards other fish. They should be kept singly or in pairs. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized with other large cichlids from Lake Tanganyika that do not fit their prey pattern

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Adult males are much larger than the females.

Reproduction and breeding

They are mating substrate spawners (hiding spawners) that lay the spawn, several 100 eggs, in caves or rock crevices. The female performs the brood care, while the male defends the territory. The young fish hatch after 2-3 days and swim free after about 4 days. They are cared for by the parents for a short time before brood care ends.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.

Important

There are several slightly different colored site variants in their range.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF