Splendid lamprologus
Neolamprologus splendens
Also known as Lamprologus splendens
FreshwaterFish
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
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika, Congolese coast
Overview
The splendid lamprologus is a colony-forming Tanganyikan cichlid that hovers just above rubble and rock rather than sitting on the bottom. It suits a keeper ready to move past beginner fish.
Did you know
The splendid lamprologus is found only on the Congolese coast around Cape Zongwe. The fairy cichlids divide the Tanganyika shoreline between them, and each stretch of coast holds its own species.
Caring for the splendid lamprologus
Give a starter colony of splendid lamprologus a tank of at least 42 gal (160 L). Stack heaps of rock and rubble into caves over a sandy floor. The generations share out the caves and crevices among themselves.
Keep the water hard, alkaline and clean, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Feed small frozen and prepared foods.
Keep splendid lamprologus as a group. They are peaceful toward other species and safe with community fish. They are substrate spawners, and a pair breeds while earlier offspring linger nearby. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The splendid lamprologus is a slender member of the Tanganyikan fairy cichlids, in the family Cichlidae. It shows smoky violet in the fins.
In the wild
The splendid lamprologus lives above rubble slopes on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika. The lake's water there is hard, alkaline and warm.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The splendid lamprologus is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Masked julie
Julidochromis transcriptus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Brien's cichlid
Paracyprichromis brieni
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Dwarf petricola
Synodontis lucipinnis
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Tanganyika killifish
Lamprichthys tanganicanus
Freshwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)73–77°F (23–25°C)
Cuckoo squeaker
Synodontis multipunctatus
Freshwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a splendid lamprologus need?
A splendid lamprologus needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a splendid lamprologus need?
A splendid lamprologus is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
What does a splendid lamprologus eat?
A splendid lamprologus eats small frozen and prepared foods.
How big does a splendid lamprologus get?
An adult splendid lamprologus reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How does a splendid lamprologus breed?
Splendid lamprologus are substrate spawners. A pair breeds while earlier offspring linger nearby, and breeding them is moderately difficult.
Related species
3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Falcicula cichlid
Neolamprologus falcicula
3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Graceful lamprologus
Neolamprologus gracilis
3.5 in (9 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)18 gal (70 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Marungu cichlid
Neolamprologus marunguensis
2.8 in (7 cm) · 18 gal (70 L)
4.5 in (11.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Lemon cichlid
Neolamprologus leleupi
4.5 in (11.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Daffodil cichlid
Neolamprologus pulcher
5.1 in (13 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Lyretail cichlid
Neolamprologus brichardi
3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)