Breeding Five-Barred Lamprologus (Neolamprologus Tretocephalus) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater species lives in African Tanganyika Lake.

Body description

Body of the fish is fusiform and cylindrical. Colour of the body is gray-bluish. There are 5 transverse, wide, black stripes from the gill covers to the base of the tail. These stripes are also on the base of the dorsal fin. There is also an extra, poorly visible stripe intersecting the eye. This species has big lips and mouth with teeth in its throat. There is almost no sexual dimorphism and sex of the fish is difficult to distinguish. Male is a bit larger than female with larger head. Female is a bit less colourful compared to the male.

Temperament and behaviour

The young fish prefers to live in larger group and then they form monogamous pairs. Males are very aggressive towards each other when they are sexually matured. Males can be also aggressive towards females after the spawning and when protecting the offspring. Female usually lives in one corner of the tank and male lives in another until the next spawn. This is predatory species. You shouldn't keep these fish with small species. You should keep these fish with medium size cichlids from Cyprichromis, Julidochromis or Altolamprologus genus.

Aquarium decoration

This species prefers a spacious tank. Aquarium should have space to swim, a lot of hiding-places among rocks, stones, caves, soft substrate (the best would be the sandy substrate), effective filtration system with medium/strong water flow, oxygen-rich water. A partial water exchange should be done regularly (10-20% per week).

Breeding

This is an oviparous species but the fish spawn occasionally in the aquarium. The fish spawn in the female's territory – in cave, between slits of rocks or in the dark place. Female lays eggs on the bottom of the hideout and male immediately fertilizes them. The fry shows in the aquarium about 1 week after the spawning. The parents take care and protect the offspring for long time.