TankBud

Six-bar lamprologus

Neolamprologus sexfasciatus

Also known as Lamprologus sexfasciatus, Gold sexfasciatus

FreshwaterFish

Six-bar lamprologus (Neolamprologus sexfasciatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The six-bar lamprologus is a heavy-bodied, aggressive rock cichlid for a large tank with plenty of stone. It suits a keeper with some cichlid experience.

Did you know

The six-bar lamprologus is traded in two color forms that share the same bars. A silvery blue-gray northern form contrasts with a southern population that turns a deep golden yellow, the one most keepers are after.

Caring for the six-bar lamprologus

Give a six-bar lamprologus a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L), since a fish this solid needs the floor space. Build heavy stonework with open floor between the piles. Use enough rock to break up lines of sight.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. It crushes snails and takes invertebrates off stone, so give it hard foods to work on. Feed frozen meaty foods, snails and a good pellet.

Keep it as a single fish or a proven pair. It is aggressive, territorial and slow to accept company, so choose robust tank mates with care.

It is a substrate spawner, and breeding it is hard. Pairing is the difficult part, since an unwilling partner is usually attacked.

Good to know

The six-bar lamprologus is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae. It carries six bold vertical bars over a tall body.

In the wild

The six-bar lamprologus patrols the rocky shoreline of southern Lake Tanganyika. It works the boundary where stone meets sand.

Common questions

What size tank does a six-bar lamprologus need?

A six-bar lamprologus needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a six-bar lamprologus need?

A six-bar lamprologus is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a six-bar lamprologus eat?

A six-bar lamprologus crushes snails and takes invertebrates off stone. Feed it frozen meaty foods, snails and a good pellet.

How big does a six-bar lamprologus get?

An adult six-bar lamprologus reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a six-bar lamprologus breed?

A six-bar lamprologus is a substrate spawner, and breeding it is hard. Pairing is the difficult part, because an unwilling partner is usually attacked.

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