Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans
|
| Common name: | |
| Scientific name: | Altolamprologus calvus |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | Up to 6" (15cm), female smaller - 4" (10cm). |
| Origin: | Lake Tanganyika, E.Africa |
| Tank setup: | Piles of rocks, with sand or fine gravel substrate. Shells can also be added. |
| Compatibility: | Not for the community tank, keep with similar sized Tanganyikan cichlids, which are not
overly aggressive, such as Julidochromis or larger shell dwellers. |
| Temperature: | 24-27oC (75-81oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Hard and alkaline: pH 7.8-9.0, GH 12-20, KH 14-20 |
| Feeding: | Will take most aquarium foods, but frozen or live foods are preferred, such as bloodworm and brine shrimp (Artemia). |
| Sexing: | Males are usually significantly larger in established pairs. Mature males will also appear deeper
bodied with more elongated finnage. These differences are not apparent in juveniles. |
| Breeding: | Substrate spawner, the female will usually select a cave with a very narrow entrance, which the
male cannot enter. The male will guard the surrounding territory.
The female will guard the eggs and fry until they are free swimming. |
| Comments: |
A. calvus is a slow-growing cichlid, but becomes a truly stunning fish and a superb addition to a Tanganyikan setup.
There are a number of colour variants, such as the 'white' calvus and the stunning 'black' form.
Altolamprologus may eat very small fishes and fry, but are not generally a danger to adult Tanganyikan cichlids.
They should not be kept with boisterous fishes such as Tropheus and the Malawi mbuna.
|
