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
- Cave spawner · Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
Overview
The lemon cichlid is a territorial cave dweller from Lake Tanganyika for a rocky tank. It is best for a keeper who has kept fish before.
Did you know
The lemon cichlid's bright color depends heavily on diet and lighting. Without enough carotenoids in its food, or under too much bright light over a pale tank, the orange fades toward a dull yellow.
Caring for the lemon cichlid
Give a single lemon cichlid or a pair at least 20 gal (75 L). Build a rocky tank full of caves, with enough rock for clear territory lines.
Hard, alkaline water is not optional for this Tanganyikan. Keep the pH at 7.8 to 9.0 and the temperature at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C). In the wild it eats small invertebrates and zooplankton, so feed quality cichlid pellets with frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. Color-rich foods keep its orange from fading.
The lemon cichlid is fairly solitary. It claims a cave and defends it, and it can get nippy toward similar fish, especially while breeding. Choose tank mates that can hold their own. It is a cave spawner that lays its eggs on the roof or wall of a cave, and breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The lemon cichlid, Neolamprologus leleupi, is in the family Cichlidae. It has a slender body for slipping through rock crevices and a solid yellow to orange color. Wild stocks are not endangered, but over-collection and habitat change are watch points.
In the wild
Lemon cichlids live along the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. They hide in crevices and caves at a range of depths, and the lake water is clear, hard and very alkaline.
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.
What does a lemon cichlid eat?
A lemon cichlid eats quality cichlid pellets with frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. Color-rich foods help it hold its orange.
How big does a lemon cichlid get?
An adult lemon cichlid reaches about 4.5 in (11.5 cm).
How does a lemon cichlid breed?
The lemon cichlid spawns in a cave, laying its eggs on the roof or wall. Breeding it is hard.
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