exLamprologus multifasciatus with Fry (video)

So I was sitting here minding my own business and starting off into space, being the far left corner of the multifasciatus tank, and lo and behold… what did I see?

exLamprologus multifasciatus (video)

Also known as ‘Lamprologus’ multifasciatus, or formerly as Neolamprologus multifasciatus, this tiny shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika in Africa is ideally suited for smaller aquariums, and does quite well even when crowded, as this is how it lives in nature. Filtration rated for a larger tank is important for this reason, and the intake should be covered with a sponge to prevent tiny fry from being sucked in.

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Pseudotropheus demasoni

 

Pseudotropheus demasoni is one of my favorite little dwarf mbuna from the Pombo Rocks in Lake Malawi in Africa. Males and females are nearly identical, though males tend to have slightly longer ventral fins and clearer egg spots. This fish is very active and highly aggressive. Best kept in large groups where aggression can be dispersed among many individuals.

Enigmatochromis lucanusi

Formerly known as ‘Pelvicachromis’ sp. ‘blue fin’, this fish, which hails from Guinea, West Africa, was formally described in 2009 by our friend, Dr. Anton Lamboj as Enigmatochromis lucanusi, named after Oliver Lucanus, who brought the fish for the first time into the US in 2004.

We have this stunning pair housed temporarily in a 20 high with a small group of Xiphophorus alvarezi. They have not yet spawned to my knowledge, but we are looking forward to it!

exLamprologus multifasciatus

Or ‘Lamprologus’ multifasciatus. Or We-used-to-call-it-Neolamprologus multifasciatus and then it was decided that because its labial ligament was ossified that it was not a Neolamp, but a Lamp… and then it was decided that Lamps were strictly riverine, and since this little shellie is from Lake Tanganyika proper, it belongs to a whole new genus that doesn’t really have a name so we’ll just put the Lamp part in quotes, or you can throw and ex in the front of it. Because THAT’s not confusing.

Anyway, this was my first African cichlid, and I recently reacquired a group of them and stowed them safely into a 20 long which I am heating to a cozy 78-80 degrees. They get newly hatched baby brine shrimp and premium tropical flake daily… and I’m hoping to see some babies soon!