Tiger lamprologus
Lamprologus tigripictilis
Also known as Congo tiger lamprologus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lower Congo River rapids
Overview
The tiger lamprologus is a small but feisty river cichlid for a rocky, fast-flowing tank. It is best kept by someone with a little cichlid experience.
Did you know
The tiger lamprologus lives in a stretch of the lower Congo targeted for major hydroelectric dams. This rapids specialist is already listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Caring for the tiger lamprologus
A tank of at least 42 gal (160 L) suits a pair of tiger lamprologus. Build rock piles with plenty of cracks, crevices and caves over a sandy floor. It holds a crevice near the bottom and defends it.
Give it strong flow, high oxygen, brisk filtration and steady water changes. Aim for 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. It is a predator of small animals, so feed meaty frozen and live foods along with sinking pellets.
The tiger lamprologus is territorial, so keep a single fish or a bonded pair. Choose tank mates carefully, favoring other flow-loving Congo species that can stand up for themselves. It is a cave spawner, and both parents guard the brood. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
The tiger lamprologus, Lamprologus tigripictilis, is a river-dwelling cichlid marked with broken, tiger-like bars along the flank. Robert Schelly and Melanie Stiassny described it only in 2004, from the lower Congo.
In the wild
The tiger lamprologus lives among rocks in the fast rapids of the lower Congo River. The water there is warm, well oxygenated and roughly neutral.
Common questions
What size tank does a tiger lamprologus need?
A tiger lamprologus needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a tiger lamprologus need?
A tiger lamprologus is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
What does a tiger lamprologus eat?
A tiger lamprologus eats meaty frozen and live foods, along with sinking pellets. It is a predator of small animals.
How big does a tiger lamprologus get?
An adult tiger lamprologus reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How does a tiger lamprologus breed?
Tiger lamprologus are cave spawners, and both parents guard the brood. Breeding them is of moderate difficulty.
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Congo lamprologus
Lamprologus congoensis
5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
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Lamprologus callipterus
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Lamprologus lemairii
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Lamprologus ocellatus
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2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Ornate shell dweller
Lamprologus ornatipinnis
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2.2 in (5.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Black ocellatus
Lamprologus speciosus
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