TankBud

Lemaire's lamprologus

Lamprologus lemairii

Also known as Sleeper lamprologus

FreshwaterFish

Lemaire's lamprologus (Lamprologus lemairii)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

Lemaire's lamprologus is a patient ambush predator for a large, predator-themed Lake Tanganyika tank. It is a moderately demanding fish.

Did you know

Lemaire's lamprologus makes its ambush work by doing nothing at all. It can hang in the water or lie on the bottom like a waterlogged leaf. That playing-dead stillness lets prey approach until the prey forgets a predator is there.

Caring for the Lemaire's lamprologus

Give Lemaire's lamprologus a big rocky tank of at least 106 gal (400 L). Lay a sand floor with heavy rockwork that offers flat ledges and shaded hollows for it to settle into.

Match the lake's hard, alkaline water, with a pH of 7.8 to 9.0 and a temperature of 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C). Provide strong filtration and good water movement. Feed meaty foods such as pieces of fish and shrimp.

Lemaire's lamprologus is solitary and territorial. Keep it singly or as a carefully introduced pair, never in a group of rivals. It inhales any fish small enough to fit its mouth, so only companions too large to be eaten are safe.

It is a cave-spawning substrate breeder rather than a mouthbrooder. Coaxing a compatible pair to breed is difficult, so breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Lemaire's lamprologus, Lamprologus lemairii, belongs to the family Cichlidae. It is an almost exclusive fish-eater, and much of its hunting is done at night.

In the wild

Lemaire's lamprologus rests among the rocks and sediment of Lake Tanganyika. Its mottled, dead-leaf pattern breaks up its outline there. The lake water is hard, alkaline and highly oxygenated.

Common questions

What size tank does a Lemaire's lamprologus need?

A Lemaire's lamprologus needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Lemaire's lamprologus need?

A Lemaire's lamprologus is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a Lemaire's lamprologus eat?

A Lemaire's lamprologus eats meaty foods, such as pieces of fish and shrimp. It will also inhale any tank mate small enough to fit its mouth.

How big does a Lemaire's lamprologus get?

An adult Lemaire's lamprologus reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

How does a Lemaire's lamprologus breed?

Lemaire's lamprologus spawns in caves rather than brooding in its mouth. Getting a compatible pair to breed is difficult.

Related species