Scientific name: Neolamprologus leleupi

Common name: Lemon cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 8 - 10 cm (3.15 - 3.94 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 7.6 - 8.9

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 18 - 30°N (321.43 - 535.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 26 °C (73.4 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Lemon cichlids are omnivorous and will accept quality flakes and pellets. They have relatively large mouths so the pellets are often swallowed whole. Supplement their diet with brine shrimp or blood worm.

Origin

Africa; Lemon cichlids are to be found in Lake Tanganyika.

Sexing

No visible differences, the males tend to grow larger than the females.

Breeding

Add a group of these fish as juveniles and let them pair off naturally. When you have a pair, remove the other fish and provide caves or rock work for spawning sites. They are secretive spawners, the first indication maybe when the female doesn’t emerge from the cave for a few days. She will emerge after a few days with her fry and these can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp. Both parents will tend the fry but they will be slow growers.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Neolamprologus leleupi is 8 years.

Short description

There are color morphs available for this species; they range from blues to grayish tans. It was once believed that water changes were detrimental to Neolamprologus leleupi but this has since been proven wrong.