Moderate
Lamprologus caudopunktatus r. f.
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 80L
£13.99
The orange colour form of this compact Tanganyikan cichlid - bold, bottom-dwelling and best in a hard-water African setup.
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 caudopunctatus
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The orange colour form of this compact Tanganyikan cichlid - bold, bottom-dwelling and best in a hard-water African setup.
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.
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 80L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 80L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 60L
23–25°C · pH 7.8–8.8 · 120L
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Warm orange tones and an outsized personality make the Lamprologus caudopunkt. orange a standout in a Lake Tanganyika aquarium. This is the orange colour form of a compact, ground-dwelling cichlid that stays small at around 4.5cm yet behaves like a far larger fish, patrolling the substrate and asserting itself with confident displays.
Keep it in a dedicated Tanganyikan setup with hard, alkaline water and plenty of structure low down in the tank. As a bottom-region carnivore it spends its time scouting the lower reaches, so the floor of the aquarium matters more than open swimming space. Its temperament is semi-aggressive and it can become territorial, which means each fish needs room to claim and hold its own patch without constant conflict.
Although small, it is a rewarding fish for keepers who enjoy watching natural Rift-lake behaviour rather than open-water shoaling. Stable, well-buffered water and a mature filter help this species settle and show its best colour.
Setting the tank up for success means leaning into its preferences rather than fighting them. Keep the water firmly in the hard, alkaline band it favours - around 24 to 27°C and a pH between 7.5 and 8.5 - and let the lower third of the tank carry the visual interest, since this is where it spends almost all of its time. With a minimum of 80 litres it does not need a vast aquarium, but it does need that volume kept clean and consistent.
Feeding is straightforward for a carnivore of this size: a varied menu of quality meaty prepared and frozen foods, offered in modest amounts it can clear quickly. Watching it stake out and patrol a small territory is much of the appeal, and a stable routine helps it show that confident behaviour day to day.
House it with other Tanganyikan cichlids only where the tank is large and territories are properly planned, and consider Synodontis catfish as companions. Avoid small community fish, very timid species, large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species and anything needing soft, acidic water. Every order travels with a licensed live-animal courier and is covered by our live arrival guarantee.
