Moderate
Mutondwe Compressiceps (Altolamprologus compressiceps), 3-4cm
23–26°C · pH 7.5–8.5
£18.99
Lamprologus compressiceps, the slim-bodied Compressed Cichlid: a 4cm Tanganyikan carnivore for 80L+ hard-water tanks. Moderate care.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Lamprologus compressiceps
Max Adult Size
up to 4 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
24–27°C
pH Range
7.8–9
Hardness
10–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
80L
Diet
Carnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Lamprologus compressiceps
Compressed Cichlid (Lamprologus compressiceps) - Cichlid Fish for Sale UK
Moderate Care
Semi-Aggressive
£17.99Sold Out
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Lamprologus compressiceps, the slim-bodied Compressed Cichlid: a 4cm Tanganyikan carnivore for 80L+ hard-water tanks. Moderate care.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Lamprologus compressiceps
Max Adult Size
up to 4 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
24–27°C
pH Range
7.8–9
Hardness
10–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
80L
Diet
Carnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Full Care Guide
Cichlids: Types, Care & Tank Planning
Cichlids are a family of roughly 1,800 accepted species, not one care type. Before buying, identify the exact species and source, then compare adult measurement, usable tank dimensions, social system, territory, tested water, diet and an exit plan. No family-wide minimum tank, water range or tank-mate list is safe.
14 min readRead guide
Water Parameters
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Temperature
24–27°C
24°CIdeal27°C
pH Level
7.8–9
7.8Ideal9
Water Hardness
10–20 dGH
10 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Compressed by name and by build, the Compressed Cichlid (Lamprologus compressiceps) is one of Lake Tanganyika's most distinctive small fish. The slim, narrow profile its name describes lets it work tight spaces along the rockwork, and at a recorded 4 cm adult size it ranks among the most compact cichlids we list from the lake — a lot of character in very little water.
Don't let the size tempt you into general-community thinking, though. This is a carnivore with a semi-aggressive streak that can turn territorial, and it wants proper Rift Lake water: 24–27 °C, pH 7.8–9.0 and hardness of 10–20 dGH. An 80-litre aquarium is the recorded minimum, and it spends its time low in the tank, so build the interest — rock piles, caves, crevices — at that level rather than up in the water column. Care is moderate, and the recorded lifespan is a generous eight years.
Reading the record closely, the hardness floor of 10 dGH is as binding as the pH: this is not a fish to trial in soft municipal water and correct later. Prepare the mineral content first, confirm 24–27 °C stability, and only then shortlist tankmates. The order of operations matters with a territorial bottom-dweller, because rearranging an occupied tank means renegotiating boundaries the fish considers settled. An 80-litre system handled this way will hold the species comfortably for its full recorded lifespan.
Compressed Cichlid requirements
- ~4 cm adult size — a true dwarf from Tanganyika
- Water at 24–27 °C, pH 7.8–9.0, hardness 10–20 dGH
- Minimum 80 litres, furnished low in the tank
- Carnivorous; moderate care
- Semi-aggressive, occasionally territorial; ~8 years
Match it with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and temperament, or non-aggressive Tanganyikan species that share its water requirements. Keep away small peaceful fish that could be bullied or eaten, slow-moving long-finned fish, overly aggressive large cichlids, and community species that need soft, acidic water.
Adding one to a Tanganyika tank
For a nano-scale slice of the lake, few fish offer more character per centimetre than this one. Order today and your Compressed Cichlid ships by licensed live-animal courier under our live arrival guarantee.
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