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Savory's cichlid

Neolamprologus savoryi

Also known as Lamprologus savoryi

FreshwaterFish

Savory's cichlid (Neolamprologus savoryi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
18 gal
70 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

Savory's cichlid is a small, colonial Tanganyikan that lives in groups among the rocks. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Savory's cichlid is a cooperative breeder. A dominant pair spawns, and grown-up offspring stay behind to guard the territory and tend younger siblings instead of leaving to breed. A single group can hold a breeding pair and dozens of helpers.

Caring for the Savory's cichlid

Keep Savory's cichlids as a group so their social life can play out. A tank of 18 gal (70 L) holds a starter colony, and more space lets the group grow and its babysitting behavior develop. Over a sandy floor, stack dense stonework into a wall full of crevices, caves and passages.

Keep the water clean, very hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Feed small frozen and prepared foods.

Savory's cichlid is aggressive, territorial and pushy around its patch. Choose tank mates with care, and stick to other robust rock-dwellers that can stand the crowding. It is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs in a crevice. Breeding is of medium difficulty once a colony has settled.

Good to know

Savory's cichlid, Neolamprologus savoryi, belongs to the family Cichlidae and is also listed as Lamprologus savoryi. It is dark-barred, with violet edges to the fins. It is one of the founding members of the brichardi group of helper-breeding lamprologines.

In the wild

Savory's cichlids pack into rocky crevices along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where they breed in dense colonies. The lake is hard, strongly alkaline, warm and stable.

Common questions

What size tank does a Savory's cichlid need?

A Savory's cichlid needs at least 18 gal (70 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Savory's cichlid need?

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

What does a Savory's cichlid eat?

A Savory's cichlid eats small frozen and prepared foods.

How big does a Savory's cichlid get?

An adult Savory's cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a Savory's cichlid breed?

Savory's cichlid is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs in a crevice. Breeding it is of medium difficulty once a colony has settled.

Related species