Edit Altolamprologus calvus
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Name
Scientific name
Altolamprologus calvus
Described by
Authority Poll, Year 1978, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Calvus Cichlid, Pearly Lamprologus, Perlhuhnbarsch
Photograph credits
All 7 credited
Summary
The calvus cichlid, Altolamprologus calvus, is a laterally compressed predatory cichlid endemic to the rocky shores and islands of Lake Tan…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
138mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 91 cm, Minimum depth 46 cm, Minimum height 41 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–27°C, pH 7.5–9
Hardness
8–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
One male with several females
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
DR Congo, Zambia, Lake Tanganyika
Writing
Etymology
Altolamprologus: from the Latin term altus, meaning 'high', in reference to the deep dorsal profile of genus members, plus Lamprologus, which was their origina…
Distribution
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.
Habitat
Exclusively found in rocky habitats around the shores and islands of the lake.
Aquarium size
91 × 46 × 41 cm (36 × 18 × 16 in), about 150 litres, is suitable for a single pair or one male with several females. In a community, use a tank of 285 litres o…
Maintenance
This fish should be housed in a Lake Tanganyika biotope setup, with piles of rocks arranged to form caves filling much of the aquarium. Dim lighting will encou…
Water conditions
Requires alkaline water with stable parameters and very low nitrates.
Diet
Most meaty live and frozen foods are readily accepted. It won't usually take dried varieties.
Behaviour and compatibility
Although territorial, it's generally peaceful towards fish it can't fit into its mouth, and is a good addition to a Tanganyikan community. However it tends to …
Sexual dimorphism
Males grow larger and have longer fins than females.
Reproduction
Possible. Substrate spawner. It may breed in the community aquarium but if you want to raise a full brood of these, a separate aquarium should be used. Set thi…
Notes
A. calvus is a predator by nature and its body shape has been adapted to allow it to enter small crevices and gaps in the rockwork of Lake Tanganyika to prey o…
References
References
2 on this profile