Altolamprologus

Taxobox
name = "Altolamprologus"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Altolamprologus calvus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Altolamprologus"
genus_authority = Poll, 1986
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Altolamprologus calvus"
"Altolamprologus compressiceps"
"Altolamprologus fasciatus"
and see text

"Altolamprologus" is a small genus of pseudocrenilabrine cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika in eastern Africa. They inhabit areas of the lake with large amounts of rock, most frequently in water two to ten metres in depth. Only three, sometimes just two named species are placed here.

They are good-sized lamrologines, growing to a total length of 13-15 cm (c.5-6 inches) in adult males. Their bodies are laterally compressed and in those which are always placed here remarkably high-backed; hence the scientific name which means "high "Lamprologus" (from Latin "altus", "high"). They are predators which feed on large invertebrates and small fish, particularly crustaceans and juveniles of other cichlids.

"Altolamprologus fasciatus" is often placed in the genus "Neolamprologus", which it resembles in its torpedo-shaped body outline. In other respects, such as coloration and habits, it is a rather typical "Altolamprologus". The genus as such is closely related to "Lepidiolamprologus". [Konings (1998), Day "et al." (2007)]

In the aquarium

"Altolamprologus" are hardy at the standard Lake Tanganyikan water parameters. They are not particularly well-suited for beginners due to their predatory habits however. They can be picky eaters and demand a variety of appropriate living prey to thrive, but they are also prone to gorging themself if they like the offered food and may become too fat. They also require large tanks – at least one meter/yard in length – to show their natural behavior, and cannot be kept together with small fish or shrimps.

They can be a challenge to breed for the novice. These fish are cave spawners and will spawn under terracotta pot saucers or in large snail shells. They are very slow-growing: commonly sold at a length of about 2.5 cm (1 inch), when they are able to take care of themselves and well-suited for having a group grow up together until pairs form, they can take two years to reach sexual maturity.

Footnotes

References

* (2007): Phylogenetic relationships of the Lake Tanganyika cichlid tribe Lamprologini: The story from mitochondrial DNA. "Mol. Phylogenet. Evol." 45(2): 629–642. doi|10.1016/j.ympev.2007.02.025
* (1998): "Tanganyikan cichlids in their natural habitat". Cichlid Press.