Edit Altolamprologus compressiceps

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Name

Scientific name

Altolamprologus compressiceps

Described by

Authority Boulenger, Year 1898, Bracketed

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Compressed Cichlid, Nanderbuntbarsch

Photograph credits

19 of 20 credited

Summary

The compressed cichlid, Altolamprologus compressiceps, is a substrate-spawning cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives among roc…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

125mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–28°C, pH 8–9

Hardness

7–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Tanzania, 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

Type locality is the town of Kinyamkolo, now known as Mpulungu, located in Zambia at the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika. The species is endemic to the lake bu…

Type locality is the town of Kinyamkolo, now known as Mpulungu, located in Zambia at the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika. The species is endemic to the lake but quite widely-distributed with other localities including Katoto, Kabemba, Cape Chaitika, Cape Nangu, Nkamba Bay, Lufubu, Kasenga, Kiku, Kanoni, Pemba, Bujumbura, Magara, Kigoma, Cape Kagobo, Mabilibili, Lyamembe, Kekese, Ikola, Cape Mpimbwe, Nkondwe, Kerenge, Kipili, Kirando, Ulwile, Mtosi, Namansi, Malesa Island, Muzi, Kasanga, Kambwimba, Kantalamba, Kalambo, Isanga, Mwela, Chituta, Kasakalawe, Mbete Island and Mutondwe (also known as "Crocodile") Island.

Tanganyika is the most ancient of Africa's Great Rift Lakes and contains around 250 described species of endemic cichlid which exhibit great diversity in terms of morphology, behaviour, and ecology. This variability has evolved through a process of explosive speciation and is often referred to as a model example of adaptive radiation i.e. the rapid differentiation of a single ancestor into an array of species possessing different traits in order to exploit particular niches in environments and resources.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Habitat

Restricted to areas where the substrate is composed largely of rocky rubble with few open spaces and well-developed cover of biofilm. Adults are mostly found a…

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions should be 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent.

Maintenance

A sandy substrate with some complex structures of piled rocks arranged to fill much of the available space represents the ideal environment. Place the latter d…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

A specialised carnivore feeding mostly on invertebrates, crustaceans and smaller fishes in nature with its elongate mouthparts adapted for insertion into crack…

Behaviour and compatibility

Best maintained as a single pair but can be maintained in groups in larger aquaria. It's not particularly territorial and can make a good addition to the well-…

Sexual dimorphism

Males grow considerably larger than females and develop slightly extended fins as they mature.

Reproduction

A substrate spawner which naturally lays its brood in crevices or cavities among rocks, typically of a size so small only the female can fit inside. The male d…

Notes

This species varies in colour pattern depending on locality. Some of them are sold under several such names with the variant from Kigoma being known variously …

References

4 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References