Tiger lamprologus

Care at a glance

Overview

The tiger lamprologus is a small but feisty river cichlid from the lower Congo. It is territorial, so keep a single fish or a bonded pair and choose tankmates carefully, favouring other flow-loving Congo species that can stand up for themselves. It holds a crevice near the bottom and defends it, so give it rock piles with plenty of cracks and caves over a sandy floor. It is a predator of small animals, so feed meaty frozen and live foods along with sinking pellets. A tank of around 160 liters suits a pair with careful tankmate choices.

In the wild

This species lives among rocks in the fast rapids of the lower Congo River, in warm, well oxygenated, roughly neutral water. Recreate that with strong flow, high oxygen, and a rocky layout full of crevices over sand. Keep it neutral and warm, around 23 to 27 C and pH 6.5 to 7.8, with brisk filtration and steady water changes.

Good to know

Lamprologus tigripictilis is a river-dwelling cichlid reaching about 10 centimeters, marked with broken tiger-like bars along the flank. Robert Schelly and Melanie Stiassny described it only in 2004 from the lower Congo. It is a cave-spawning predator of small invertebrates, and both parents guard the brood.

Did you know

Described as recently as 2004, this rapids specialist lives in a stretch of the lower Congo targeted for major hydroelectric dams, and it is already listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Common questions

Related species

• Congo lamprologus

  Lamprologus congoensis

  Freshwater

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Shell thief cichlid

  Lamprologus callipterus

  Freshwater

  5.1 in (13 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Lemaire's lamprologus

  Lamprologus lemairii

  Freshwater

  9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Gold ocellatus shell dweller

  Lamprologus ocellatus

  Freshwater

  2.4 in (6 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Ornate shell dweller

  Lamprologus ornatipinnis

  Freshwater

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Black ocellatus

  Lamprologus speciosus

  Freshwater

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)