Six-barred Lamprologus (Neolamprologus sexfasciatus)

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Six-barred Lamprologus
Neolamprologus sexfasciatus
Six-barred Lamprologus (Neolamprologus sexfasciatus)
Name Six-barred Lamprologus
Name Lat. Neolamprologus sexfasciatus
Synonym Lamprologus sexfasciatus
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 Territorial
Keeping Pair
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Cave spawner
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 6-8 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 14-16 cm
Temperature 24-28 °C
Hardness 15-18 °dH
Aquarium ~ 350 l
US Units
Size 5.5"-6.3"
Temperature 75-82 °F
Hardness 267-320 ppm
Aquarium ~ 90 gal

Distribution and habitat

The six-striped Tanganyika cichlids are distributed exclusively (endemically) in the southern half of Lake Tanganyika between Cape Tembwe and Karema, where they live in the rugged rocky littoral over sandy soils.

Maintenance

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

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 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 cyclops, daphnia, artemia 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

These relatively peaceful cichlids should be kept in pairs. Especially at spawning time they behave territorial and defend their territory emphatically. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. These cichlids should only be socialized with other similar sized Lake Tanganyika cichlids, such as Julidochromis or Altolamprologus.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

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

Reproduction and breeding

They are cave-breeding pairs and spawn at the bottom of caves. The female performs brood care, while the male vehemently defends the territory. The fry hatch after a few days and are cared for for 2-3 weeks after they swim freely.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.

Important

They have produced some different colored site variants.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. 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. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF