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Striped telmatochromis

Telmatochromis vittatus

Also known as Vittatus, Blunt-headed telmat, Striped telmat

FreshwaterFish

Striped telmatochromis (Telmatochromis vittatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Cave spawner · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Rocky and shell strewn areas of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

Overview

The striped telmatochromis is a small, elongated cichlid for a rock and shell setup. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Big male striped telmatochromis sometimes skip guarding a nest of their own. Instead they sneak into the shells of smaller males and fertilize the eggs those males guard, a shortcut biologists call sneaker spawning.

Caring for the striped telmatochromis

Keep a pair of striped telmatochromis in a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Furnish it with rocks and a scatter of empty snail shells.

Keep the water 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 dry foods such as cyclops, brine shrimp and fine pellets.

The striped telmatochromis is fairly peaceful, though it defends its shell or crevice, especially when breeding. It is fine in a group of its own kind, but choose other tank mates with caution.

It is a facultative shell user, so a pair will breed in an empty snail shell or a rock crevice, whichever is available. Pairs spawn secretly, and the female lays the eggs on the wall of the cave or shell. Breeding them is easy.

Good to know

The striped telmatochromis, Telmatochromis vittatus, has a cream body crossed by dark horizontal stripes. It is also known as the Vittatus, the blunt-headed telmat and the striped telmat.

In the wild

The striped telmatochromis comes from the rocky, shell-strewn areas of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. In the lake it shelters in rock cracks and discarded shells.

Common questions

What size tank does a striped telmatochromis need?

A striped telmatochromis needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a striped telmatochromis need?

A striped telmatochromis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a striped telmatochromis eat?

A striped telmatochromis eats small frozen and dry foods, such as cyclops, brine shrimp and fine pellets.

How big does a striped telmatochromis get?

An adult striped telmatochromis reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

How does a striped telmatochromis breed?

Striped telmatochromis breed in an empty snail shell or a rock crevice. The female lays her eggs on the wall of the shell or cave, and breeding them is easy.

Related species