is similar in habits to L. kendalli, and prefers
rocky crevices to hide in and around.
L. PROFUNDICOLA (POLL 1949)
Closely related to L. elongatus and L.
kendalli, L. profundicola is a robust and
highly aggressive cichlid that lives at depths
considerably greater than do its relatives.
Spawns of L. profundicola often involve
more than a thousand eggs. This species
is probably the largest of the genus. Pierre
Brichard reported having seen a specimen
much larger than the 12-inch maximum
listed size for this species.
Care in Aquariums
Generally speaking, members
Lepidiolamprologus are robust and easy-to-care-for cichlids. They require little in the
way of specific water chemistry, so long
as extremes are avoided of course, and
they will consume nearly anything offered
to them. Where they do require some
special care, however, is in the selection of
tankmates and space.
of
Because they are so aggressive, hobbyists
may find it difficult to successfully house
other fishes with them. Of course, those
housed in larger aquariums will be less
likely to be so territorial so as to not allow
other inhabitants.
The two largest-growing species (L.
cunningtoni and L. profundicola) need huge
tanks in order to thrive under captive
conditions. Even the smaller species need
considerable space due to their roaming
behavior.
It’s hard to make rock-solid suggestions
when it comes to tankmates for
Lepidiolamprologus. In most instances,
success and failure will be on a case-by-case basis. In all honesty, it just simply
would not be fair to list certain fishes as
good tankmates when it’s always a gamble
either way.
When it comes to water quality, extremes
should be avoided—which is always the case
with any fish. Additionally, frequent partial
(but substantial) water changes are simply
the only effective method in maintaining
a high-quality aquatic environment for all
captive fishes, Lepidiolamprologus included.
Iggy Tavares
swim about. These cichlids are voracious
feeders, and are piscivorous in nature.
Their diet in aquariums should include
meaty foods, such as chunked fish flesh
and healthy feeder fishes, too. Of course,
a staple food such as a cichlid-specific
pelleted diet is also highly recommended. If
Although not as large as L. elongatus, L. kendalli is highly territorial, and so they should only
be kept singly in a tank; they tend to be solitary in the wild, living among the rocky crevices
of Lake Tanganyika.
cared for properly, these fascinating cichlids
will live for many years, easily more than a
decade, in a home aquarium.
Resources
www.waterwolves.com
www.cichlid-forum.com
www.fishbase.org D
Conclusion
Lepidiolamprologus are awesome cichlids
in many ways, but they do need large tanks
and open space to roam. Even species
that are characteristically rock-dwelling in
nature will enjoy open areas in which to
