Orangeeye Lamprologus (Neolamprologus pectoralis)

Orangeeye Lamprologus Neolamprologus pectoralis
Name	Orangeeye Lamprologus
Name Lat.	Neolamprologus pectoralis
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Intermediate zone
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12-14 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	~ 300 l
US Units
Size	4.7"-5.5"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

Orange-eyed Lamprologus are found exclusively (endemically) in the southwest of Lake Tanganyika, on the coast with the Democratic Republic of Congo. They live in the rock and scree zone with sandy bottoms at a depth of more than 15 m.

Maintenance

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

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, 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 crustaceans and insect larvae. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed at least once a day with a high-quality dry food for Tanganyika cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need some vegetable food, such as algae leaves or commercial green food (e.g. spirulina)

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 should be kept in pairs. Males are extremely territorial within the species and should not be kept together with other Neolamprologus species. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized with other robust Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

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 slightly larger than females. With some experience, the sexes can be distinguished by their genital papilla, which is pointed in the male.

Reproduction and breeding

They are pair-building cave breeders and usually attach the spawn to the cave ceiling or walls. The female performs brood care while the male defends the territory. The fry hatch after 2-3 days and swim free after 6-8 days. They are cared for by the parents for some 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

In their range, they have produced different colored site variants.

The well-being of the fish must be checked 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 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: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF