Fourspine lamprologus

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a big, capable sand-dwelling predator, kept as a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group, since a settled pair claims and defends a broad stretch of floor. It works the bottom, hunting over sand and along the sand-and-rock line. It is aggressive around its territory, so select companions with care: robust Tanganyikans that keep to open water or the rocks, and nothing small enough to be hunted down. Feed meaty foods, frozen mysis, bloodworm, prawn and small snails, plus good sinking pellets. A pair needs a tank of at least 300 liters with open sand, some rock and hard, alkaline water, and plan the floor around their territory.

In the wild

Neolamprologus tetracanthus ranges all around Lake Tanganyika along the boundary between sand and rock, hunting over open sand and using the stones for cover and spawning. Recreate that with a broad sand floor, some piled rock, and clear swimming space. Keep the water hard and alkaline like the lake, around 24 to 27 C at a pH from 7.5 to 9, with strong, clean filtration.

Good to know

This pearl-spangled lamprologine belongs to the family Cichlidae and reaches about 20 centimeters, its bronze body dotted with rows of light spots. Its name, tetracanthus, refers to four spines. It is a substrate spawner that hides eggs against or under stone and guards the fry as a pair, so breeding is a moderate project given the space for a territory.

Did you know

Beyond hunting fish and insect larvae, it has a specialized trick: it can suck snails and other molluscs clean out of their shells, adding a food source many of its rivals cannot touch.

Common questions

Related species

• Prochilus cichlid

  Neolamprologus prochilus

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  6.7 in (17 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Five-bar cichlid

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• Barred lamprologus

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• Christy's lamprologus

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• Six-bar lamprologus

  Neolamprologus sexfasciatus

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  5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Cylindricus cichlid

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