Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus

Neolamprologus caudopunctatus, commonly known as the Caudopunctatus, is a species of cichlid fish native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. These fish are popular in the aquarium trade due to their attractive appearance and interesting behavior.

Neolamprologus caudopunctatus, a small, shell-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlid that is easy to care for in both small and medium aquariums, is the subject of this expert aquarist’s breeding account.

II. You would love the fish because…

Caudopunctatus are relatively small cichlids, with males typically reaching lengths of 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) and females being slightly smaller.

They have a striking appearance with a base color of yellow to beige and prominent dark spots or blotches on their bodies. These spots give them their species name “caudopunctatus,” which means “tail-spotted.”

In their natural habitat, they are found in the rocky shoreline areas of Lake Tanganyika, which is known for its clear, alkaline waters. They often inhabit crevices and caves among the rocks.

Neolamprologus caudopunctatus is a social and territorial species. They are known to form colonies and defend territories within the rocky crevices. These territories are essential for breeding and protecting their young.

If you plan to keep Caudopunctatus in an aquarium, it’s important to provide them with an environment that mimics their natural habitat. This includes rocky structures and hiding places. They prefer water conditions with a pH of 7.8-9.0 and a temperature range of 75-82°F (24-28°C). They are generally peaceful towards other fish but can become territorial during breeding.

Caudopunctatus are known to be substrate spawners, meaning they lay their eggs on a flat surface such as a rock or in a crevice. The parents will guard the eggs and fry, and it’s essential to provide them with suitable breeding sites and conditions to encourage successful reproduction.

In their natural habitat, Neolamprologus caudopunctatus is not considered a threatened species. However, habitat degradation and overfishing in Lake Tanganyika have raised concerns about the long-term conservation of its aquatic biodiversity.

IV. Species compatibility

• Altolamprologus
• Julidochromis
• Neolamprologus
• Other dwarf African cichlids from Malawi

V. How to feed this species?

They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of small invertebrates, zooplankton, and algae in their natural habitat. In captivity, they can be fed a balanced diet of high-quality pellet food, live or frozen foods, and some vegetable matter.

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