CICHLIDS

By: Gatekeeper

  Altolamprologus calvus, "Congo Black Fin"

Origin and locale/variety: Congo, Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

Size: Adults are usually 2.0 to 4.5 inches in aquarium environment.

Sex differences: Males are larger than females. Fully mature males have noticeably more elongated finnage and are higher bodied.

Aquarium behavior: This fish can be kept in pairs or colonies. They are capable of fending for themselves without being overly aggressive to tankmates. The entire genus of Altolamprologus is ideal for Tanganyikan community environments. They can also be kept with many of the cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria. Different species and color morphs of Altolamprologus have been kept and bred in the same aquarium.

Aquarium diet: Altolamprologus readily accept most foods--flakes, freeze-dried, frozen and live. A combination of these is recommended. In aquarium environments, it is rare to see Altolamprologus eat other fishes.

Observed spawning habits: Females will find a spawning site, normally a cave, crevice, or shell too small for the male to enter. Sometimes the male will seem to choose the site and will coerce the female to it. Females can spawn every 25-35 days when kept in condition. The fish may spawn in a cave on the substrate or in elevated areas. It is a very secretive spawner, and actual spawns are easily overlooked by the aquarist.

Other information: The Congo Black Fin is one of the black variants of calvus being collected off the Congo coastline. This fish appears to have a more slender body and darker coloration than its Zambian relatives.

<< Back| Home >>