LAKE TANGANYIKA CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
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Genus Neolamprologus.
— Neolamprologus mustax [Poll, 1978] — White-bearded Neolamprologus mustax. Synonym: Lamprologus mustax. Lake Tanganyika, prefers rocky bottom topography. Males are about 9 cm, females about 7 cm. The body, unlike related species (N. leleupi and N. cylindricus), is significantly higher. In general, the fish looks very massive, which is especially pronounced in adult specimens. In addition to having a fatty growth, with age, the male becomes larger, acquires a bright saturated yellow color, and looks more representative than the female. The chin and lower part of the head are white.
Over time, this difference increases. However, in the juvenile stage and even in young breeders, it is quite difficult to determine the sex. The anal and pelvic fins are pointed, the caudal fin is rounded. During spawning, dark vertical stripes appear. In adolescence, it is very similar to Neolamprologus leleupi.
In most distribution areas of this species, several color morphs can be found. For example, there are blackish and brownish-reddish specimens with yellowish fins (Kiku), yellow (Mbete), brownish-yellow (Chaitika), and gray (Cape Kachese). A notable feature of the coloration in almost all color variations of Neolamprologus mustax is the different color of the body and fins. Only one thing remains unchanged — the whitish lower part of the gill covers or the white chin, which gave the species its name. Dark-colored races may not have bright coloration, but the contrast between the body and the white chin looks quite original. Light color variations are much more famous and popular. The “Moliro” variation has a characteristic main orange-yellow body color.
To keep this species, it is necessary to provide a sufficient number of caves or rock crevices in the aquarium. Using stones, the aquarium layout should be divided into separate territories with an abundance of spacious shelters and enough free swimming space. The fish are indifferent to plants, but those located near the nest will be uprooted. They easily get along with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids. In nature and in the aquarium, pairs are formed only for the spawning period. The next spawning may be marked by choosing another ready-to-spawn partner.
Quite aggressive and can defend a fairly large territory during the breeding season. Strong intraspecific aggressive behavior. Despite having a rather docile disposition, an adult male that has long “settled” in his territory is self-confident and capable of defending it from more assertive species. Intruders are ruthlessly chased, sometimes to the death. Overcrowding or poor aquarium setup provoke intraspecific and interspecific clashes between fish. When fed with live food rich in carotene, they acquire a bright coloration. They reach sexual maturity by 15-16 months of age. They prefer to spawn in rock crevices. The female mostly takes care of the offspring. T 25-27°C; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-20°.
— Neolamprologus mustax “Orange”. Lake Tanganyika, near Nundo Head peninsula, Zambia. This color variety really looks more interesting than others and brings a pleasant diversity to the Lamprologini color palette. The combined coloration of orange fins and light brown with a reddish body looks very effective. Under artificial lighting, the body of the orange variation can acquire a pinkish tint. The eyes have a wide orange rim all around.
With poor feeding and irregular water changes, they lose their beautiful coloration. The coloration of the fins and body is significantly more saturated when carotene-rich foods are included in the diet. During the spawning period, at the moment of excitement or fright, 5-6 transverse double stripes may appear on the body. If all keeping conditions are met, they already have adult coloration at a size of 3-4 cm.
— Neolamprologus niger [Poll, 1956] — Black Neolamprologus niger. Lake Tanganyika. 7 cm. Distinctive features of this cichlid species are: • elongated, moderately high-bodied, laterally compressed trunk; • pointed head with a superior, deeply incised mouth; • pointed ends of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins; • rounded caudal fin. In fact, N. niger extremely rarely has a black color. Melanists in nature make up no more than 10 percent of all color varieties. The fact is that in a stressful situation, the brown form, which is more common in natural conditions, becomes slate black. A reticulated pattern is visible on the sides of the body due to the light edging of the scales.
Females are smaller and have a lighter coloration, which can change depending on conditions and state. Sexually active females are colored yellow-orange (juveniles are colored similarly), while sexually inactive females are colored dark brown — the same color as all males. The anal and pelvic fins are pointed, the caudal fin is rounded. In general, depending on the local underwater rock relief, this species has two more, but significantly more attractive colors: lemon and orange.
It is necessary to provide a sufficient number of caves or rock crevices in the aquarium. The fish are indifferent to plants. They easily get along with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids, and can be successfully kept with any shell-dwelling lamprologs and chalinochromes. The hypersensitive head organs and the lateral line help find prey in the darkest corners of caves and crevices, and also help avoid danger well before it arises.
Quite aggressive and can defend a fairly large territory during the breeding season. They mature at 8-10 months. Ceramic caves, carved tufa, sandstone, and Rapa whelk shells serve as substrate and shelters. T 25-27°C; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-20°.
— Neolamprologus nigriventris [Buescher 1992] — Black-bellied Neolamprologus nigriventris. Lake Tanganyika. 10 cm, females are smaller. They have two distinguishing features that set this species apart from other lamprologs (with a rounded caudal fin): • long pectoral fins proportional to the head length, and a longer lower lateral line starting almost immediately behind the gill cover and running to the caudal peduncle, which is almost 1.5 times longer than in other members of the tribe Lamprologini. Also distinctive features of this cichlid species are: • strongly elongated, moderately high-bodied, laterally compressed trunk; • pointed head with a slightly broken profile and a terminal mouth; • large, round eyes; • pointed ends of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins; • rounded caudal fin with a slightly truncated rear edge.
They have a very contrasting body coloration, the upper half of which is light beige and the lower half is black; a greenish-yellow and sometimes greenish-blue gloss is noticeable in the pectoral fin area. They have pointed ends of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, and a rounded caudal fin with a slightly truncated rear edge. Juveniles have a yellow coloration for the first few months, and then the body color changes to brownish-yellow with a thin horizontal stripe.
It is necessary to provide a sufficient number of caves or rock crevices in the aquarium. These cichlids are always in direct contact with the rocky substrate, positioning themselves a few millimeters from it, sliding their belly along the rocks as if repeating their contour. The fish are indifferent to plants. They easily get along with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids. Quite aggressive and can defend a fairly large territory during the breeding season. T 25-27°C; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-20°.
Identification: Black-bellied Neolamprologus — Neolamprologus nigriventris.
Neolamprologus obscures, pectoralis, prochilus, pulcher.
Neolamprologus longicaudatus, marunguensis, mondabu, multifasciatus. 
