The Home Aquarium » Lake Tanganyika

Orange Leleupi Cichlid

Fish Man — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:18:34 +0000

Common Names: Orange Leleupi, Firecracker
Scientific Name: Neolamprologus Leleupi
Family: Cichlidae
Maximum Size: 4 inches
Life expectancy: 8 – 10 years
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 82°F
pH Range: 7.8 – 9.0
Water hardness: dH 12 – 14
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
The Orange Leleupi Cichlid prefers a sandy substrate, white aragonite is highly recommended to maintain the alkalinity and pH in the water. This will help them to keep their bright colors, the fishes color will darken if the substrate used is a dark color!

They love to build caves, so shells, rocks and driftwood should be generously added to the tank. Leleupi’s dwell in crevice’s so lots of shelters should be provided.

Diet:
Their diet should consist of a lot of…

Frontosa African Cichlid

Fish Man — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:43:52 +0000

Scientific Name: Cyphotilapia frontosa
Maximum Size: 15 inches
Life expectancy: 15 years
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 82 °F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.5
Water hardness: dH 10 – 15
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
Because of their large size Frontosa’s need at least a 70 – 100 gallon tank. Tank length is more important than the height, as it will give them more swimming space.

Substrate can be either fine gravel or sand and several caves should be added for hiding places. Never use rocks with sharp edges, when scared Frontosa’s will dart through the water and they will injure themselves on sharp edges.

Any rock formations or tank decorations should also be well anchored. Frontosa’s are strong due to their size and…

Brichardi Cichlid

Fish Man — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:56:02 +0000

Common Names: Fairy Cichlid Brichardi, Lyretail Cichlid
Scientific Name: Neolamprologus brichardi
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 77°F
pH Range: 8.0 – 9.0
Water hardness: dH 9 – 19
Temperament: Peaceful to Aggressive depending upon tank mates
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
The Brichardi Cichlid likes an aquarium with a lot of decorations, especially those that provide cave like hiding places, where each fish can stake out a territory. In the wilds of Lake Tanganyika the Brichardi inhabits small caves near the shoreline along a rocky bottom. You should also provide plenty of open water space for swimming as they like to move around a lot. Keep this in mind when you arrange your aquarium.

Brichardi Cichlids have a tendency to dig so be sure that larger rocks are well anchored or…

Golden Julie Cichlid

Fish Man — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:50:28 +0000

Scientific Name: Julidochromis ornatus
Maximum Size: 3″ inches
Temperature Range: 77 – 79 °F
pH: 8.6
Water Hardness: Very Hard
Temperament: Aggressive and territorial
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
The Golden Julie is indigenous to Lake Tanganyika and is accustomed to a high sediment rocky habitat. Sand, or a similar material, makes the best substrate, but small gravel may also be used.

Diet:
Golden Julies are omnivorous, though they prefer mollusks, crustaceans and insect larvae. Julies do well when fed mosquito larvae and/or shrimp, however, good quality pellets or flake food may also be used.

Behavior:
Golden Julies can be very territorial and aggressive. It is important to establish the community in the tank immediately, once this is done do not introduce new fish. The aquarium should contain only one male.

Coloring:
The Golden Julie is white with black stripes with…