Sunflower Cichlid (Neolamprologus helianthus)

Sunflower Cichlid Neolamprologus helianthus
Name	Sunflower Cichlid
Name Lat.	Neolamprologus helianthus
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Rocky habitat
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Aggressive
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	6-8 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	~ 200 l
US Units
Size	2.4"-3"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	~ 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Helianthus lamprologus occur exclusively (endemically) in the southwest of Lake Tanganyika from Kalo to Kamakonde. They prefer to stay near the bottom in the rugged rocky littoral with sandy substrate at 5-10 m depth.

Maintenance

The aquarium should be structured with sturdy rock structures and roots, have numerous caves, crevices and shelters that provide hiding places as well as open areas with a substrate of fine, light sand and adequate swimming space.

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 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 are relatively peaceful cichlids and strongly defend their territory during the breeding season. They should be kept in pairs, or better in a group. Keeping several pairs or a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be well socialized with other small and medium-sized cichlids from Lake Tanganyika.

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

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Adult males have a longer extended dorsal and caudal fin.

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 then 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

In their range they have produced several color variants

They can be easily distinguished from other similarly colored Neolamprologus species by the V-shaped pattern on the gill cover.

The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels 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 (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF