Savory's cichlid
Neolamprologus savoryi
Also known as Lamprologus 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
- 42 gal (160 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Savory's cichlid is a small, colonial Tanganyikan best kept as a group so its remarkable social life can play out. It is territorial and pushy around its patch, so choose tankmates with care: other robust rock-dwellers that can stand the crowding. Give the colony a wall of rock riddled with crevices over a sandy floor. Feed small frozen and prepared foods, and keep the water clean and very hard. A tank of around 160 liters holds a starter colony, with more space letting the group grow and the babysitting behavior develop.
In the wild
Neolamprologus savoryi packs into rocky crevices along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, breeding in densely packed colonies. That lake is hard, strongly alkaline, warm and stable. Match it with very hard alkaline water at pH 7.8-9.0 and 24-27 C, a sandy base, and dense stonework stacked into caves and passages.
Good to know
Neolamprologus savoryi is a cichlid of about 8 centimeters, dark-barred with violet edges to the fins, and one of the founding members of the brichardi group of helper-breeding lamprologines. It is a substrate spawner, laying eggs in a crevice, and breeding is of medium difficulty once a colony has settled.
Did you know
Savory's cichlid is a cooperative breeder. A dominant pair spawns while grown-up offspring stay behind as helpers, guarding the territory and tending younger siblings instead of leaving to breed, so a single group can hold a breeding pair and dozens of helpers.
Common questions
What size tank does a Savory's cichlid need?
A Savory's cichlid needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Savory's cichlid need?
Savory's cichlid are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
How big do Savory's cichlid get?
An adult Savory's cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Where to buy
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Appears in
Keeping Savory's cichlid?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Savory's cichlid fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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