Lemon cichlid
Neolamprologus leleupi
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 4.5 in
- 11.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
Overview
This is a fairly solitary, territorial fish that claims a cave and defends it, getting nippy toward its own kind and similar fish, especially while breeding. Keep it in a rocky tank with clear territory lines and tankmates that can hold their own. In the wild it eats small invertebrates and zooplankton, so feed quality cichlid pellets plus frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. Hard, alkaline water is not optional for this Tanganyikan.
In the wild
Lemon cichlids live along the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, hiding in crevices and caves at a range of depths. The lake water is clear, hard, and very alkaline. Match that with a rocky tank full of caves, hard water, and a high pH, anywhere from 7.8 up to 9. About 75 liters works for a single fish or a pair with enough rock to claim a territory.
Good to know
Neolamprologus leleupi is in the family Cichlidae and reaches about 11.5 cm. It has a slender body for slipping through rock crevices and a solid yellow to orange color. It is a cave-spawner that lays eggs on the roof or wall of a cave. Wild stocks are not endangered, but over-collection and habitat change are watch points.
Did you know
The lemon cichlid's bright color is heavily influenced by diet and lighting. Without enough carotenoids in the food, or with too much bright light over a pale tank, the orange fades toward a dull yellow, so feeding color-rich foods keeps that signature color.
Common questions
What size tank does a Lemon cichlid need?
A Lemon cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Lemon cichlid need?
A Lemon cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
How big does a Lemon cichlid get?
An adult Lemon cichlid reaches about 4.5 in (11.5 cm).
Related species
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