Gold Compressicep Cichlid (Altolamprologus compressiceps 'Gold')

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Gold Compressicep Cichlid
Altolamprologus compressiceps 'Gold'
Gold Compressicep Cichlid (Altolamprologus compressiceps 'Gold')
Name Gold Compressicep Cichlid
Name Lat. Altolamprologus compressiceps 'Gold'
Synonym Lamprologus compressiceps
Family Cichlids
Family lat. Cichlidae
Order Cichlids
Order lat. Cichliformes
Origin Lake Tanganyika
Habitat Rocky habitat
Diet Carnivore
pH 7.5-9.0
Behavior Semi-aggressive
Keeping Pair
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Cave spawner
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 6-8 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 12 cm
Temperature 24-28 °C
Hardness 15-18 °dH
Aquarium ~ 200 l
US Units
Size 4.7"
Temperature 75-82 °F
Hardness 267-320 ppm
Aquarium ~ 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The Golden Nander Cichlids are a locality variant of the Nander Cichlids that occurs exclusively (endemically) in the northeast of Lake Tanganyika, near Kiku in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They live in near shore rock and scree zones between stones and over free sandy areas.

Maintenance

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

There should be no detectable ammonia, ammonium or nitrite, and the nitrate level 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 shrimp and small crustaceans and small fish. 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, shrimp and mosquito larvae (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 basically peaceful fish that should be kept in pairs. The males behave dominantly towards the females. During the breeding season they defend their territory emphatically. Keeping several animals is only recommended in a much larger, richly structured aquarium. Socialization with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids is well possible. Fish that are too small are considered food

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

Sex dimorphism

The males grow larger than the females and have longer extended fins. With some experience they can also be distinguished by their genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and wider in the female.

Reproduction and breeding

They are pair-building cave breeders. The female spawns up to 300 eggs in a cave, a narrow crevice or in an empty snail shell into which she barely fits. The male guards the territory while the female cares for the brood. After 2-3 days the fry hatch and swim free after 5-7 days, whereupon brood care ends. The fry grow very slowly.

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

Their flat physique allows them to forage in narrow crevices (shrimp, crabs, fish spawn), but they can also retreat from enemies into narrow crevices at lightning speed.

Different site variants or breeding forms of the Nander cichlids should not be kept together, as they can interbreed.

The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has 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: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF