Compressiceps
Altolamprologus compressiceps
Also known as Compressiceps cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika (endemic)
Overview
The Compressiceps is an ambush predator for a hard-water tank with plenty of rock. It takes a little experience to keep well.
Did you know
The flat, narrow body of the Compressiceps is a hunting tool. Turned side-on, it can slip into rock crevices and show prey a thin profile, then flare its large mouth to inhale a fish whole. The laterally compressed shape also lets it pin small fish against rocks where they have nowhere to run.
Caring for the Compressiceps
Keep Compressiceps as a single fish or a bonded pair, in a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L). Give them coral sand or aragonite to buffer the water. Add stacked rockwork with caves and sightline breaks they can lurk around.
Keep the water warm, hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. They are sensitive to nitrate, so do regular water changes to keep it low. Feed them meaty foods.
They are mostly peaceful, but they have a big mouth and will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow. Skip shell-dwellers, fry and dwarf shrimp for that reason. They hold near the bottom around the rocks and do best with larger, calm tank mates that cannot fit in their jaws.
Compressiceps are cave spawners, and a bonded pair guards a shell or rock crevice together. Keep the different morphs separate. Breeding them is moderately hard.
Good to know
The Compressiceps, Altolamprologus compressiceps, is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Growth is slow, so a young fish takes time to reach full size. Most fish in the trade are tank bred.
In the wild
The Compressiceps is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it haunts rocky shorelines and ambushes prey from cover. The lake is hard and alkaline.
Common questions
What size tank does a Compressiceps need?
A Compressiceps needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Compressiceps need?
A Compressiceps is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
What does a Compressiceps eat?
A Compressiceps eats meaty foods. It has a big mouth and will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow.
How big does a Compressiceps get?
An adult Compressiceps reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
How does a Compressiceps breed?
Compressiceps are cave spawners, and a bonded pair guards a shell or rock crevice together. Breeding them is moderately hard.
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