Toa cichlid
Neolamprologus toae
Also known as Lamprologus toae
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika, northern basin
Overview
The Toa cichlid is a rock-dwelling Tanganyikan and one of the more even-tempered members of its group. It suits a keeper who has kept a few fish before.
Did you know
Many of the Toa cichlid's lamprologine relatives are ambush hunters. It makes its living quietly instead, working the rocks for the small invertebrates in the algal film rather than chasing prey.
Caring for the Toa cichlid
A tank of at least 53 gal (200 L) suits a pair or small group of Toa cichlids with a few companions. Give them plenty of rockwork full of crevices and hiding places over a sandy floor, and they will settle and pair off. Keep the flow moderate and the oxygen good.
Keep the water warm and buffered, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Feed small frozen foods and sinking pellets, plus the occasional vegetable-based food.
Its tank mates should be other calm rift-lake fish. It is a substrate spawner that forms pairs and guards its eggs and fry, and breeding is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
The Toa cichlid, Neolamprologus toae, is a lamprologine cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, also listed as Lamprologus toae. Its food comes from the aufwuchs, the mat of algae and tiny animals covering the rocks.
In the wild
The Toa cichlid lives over rock and gravel in the northern basin of Lake Tanganyika. The lake's water is hard and very alkaline.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Toa cichlid is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Finescale cyprichromis
Cyprichromis microlepidotus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blackspot callochromis
Callochromis melanostigma
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°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 Toa cichlid need?
A Toa cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Toa cichlid need?
A Toa cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
What does a Toa cichlid eat?
A Toa cichlid eats small frozen foods and sinking pellets, plus the occasional vegetable-based food.
How big does a Toa cichlid get?
An adult Toa cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a Toa cichlid breed?
Toa cichlids are substrate spawners that form pairs. The pair guards its eggs and fry, and breeding them is of moderate difficulty.
Related species
4.7 in (12 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Cylindricus cichlid
Neolamprologus cylindricus
4.7 in (12 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)Caudopunctatus
Neolamprologus caudopunctatus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Brevis shell dweller
Neolamprologus brevis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Black-belly lamprologus
Neolamprologus nigriventris
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Longtail lamprologus
Neolamprologus longicaudatus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
4.5 in (11.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Lemon cichlid
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4.5 in (11.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)