Mustache lamprologus
Neolamprologus mustax
Also known as Lamprologus mustax, Mask lamprologus
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (9 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal (160 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Neolamprologus mustax is a cave-spawning rock cichlid, best kept as a single fish or a settled pair. It claims a cave and the stone around it and defends that area firmly, but it does not roam looking for trouble, so a tank with several separated rock piles keeps the peace. It suits a Tanganyika community with Cyprichromis above and other rock dwellers at a distance. Feed frozen and prepared meaty foods.
In the wild
Neolamprologus mustax lives among the rock piles of southern Lake Tanganyika, picking invertebrates from crevices and retreating into cover when pressed. Keep it at 24 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 7.8 to 9.0 in hard alkaline water, with stacked stone that leaves real caves rather than decorative gaps.
Good to know
Neolamprologus mustax reaches about 9 centimeters. A white patch under the chin against an amber to olive body gives it the mustache name, and several regional forms exist, including a strongly orange population. It is a substrate spawner that lays in a cave, the female tending eggs while the male holds the wider territory.
Did you know
The white chin flashes in cave gloom like a signal lamp; the mustache is a headlight worn upside down.
Common questions
What size tank does a Mustache lamprologus need?
A Mustache lamprologus needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Mustache lamprologus need?
Mustache lamprologus are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
How big do Mustache lamprologus get?
An adult Mustache lamprologus reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Mustache lamprologus?
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Related species
Black-belly lamprologus
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Neolamprologus savoryiFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Cylindricus cichlid
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Five-bar cichlid
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