TankBud

Moore's lamprologus

Variabilichromis moorii

Also known as Neolamprologus moorii, Variabilichromis, Moorii

FreshwaterFish

Moore's lamprologus (Variabilichromis moorii)
JBenoit · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
4.3 in
11 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Rocky shorelines of the southern part of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

Overview

Keep a group or pair in a rocky tank of at least 200 liters with hard alkaline water at 24 to 27 C, pH 7.8 to 9.0. Pairs are very protective of their territory and fry, so give them space away from other bottom dwellers. Feed a mixed diet leaning on vegetable foods like spirulina with some frozen brine shrimp and cyclops. Starting with a group of young fish lets pairs form naturally.

In the wild

Moore's lamprologus lives on rocky slopes in the south of Lake Tanganyika. Bright yellow as juveniles, the fish turn a deep matte black as adults. It grazes algae and picks small animals from the rocks.

Good to know

Once placed in Neolamprologus, this species now stands alone in the genus Variabilichromis. It is a substrate spawner where a pair guards a patch of rock and a large brood of fry together. The dramatic change from yellow young to black adult is behind the genus name, which refers to being variable.

Did you know

Bright lemon yellow babies and coal black adults look so unalike that the fish essentially changes its whole appearance as it grows up.

Common questions

What size tank does a Moore's lamprologus need?

A Moore's lamprologus needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Moore's lamprologus need?

A Moore's lamprologus is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

How big does a Moore's lamprologus get?

An adult Moore's lamprologus reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).

Related species