Moderate
Dwarf Shell-Dweller, Brevis (Lamprologus brevis)
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 60L
£13.99
A demanding sand-sifting Tanganyikan cichlid for experienced keepers, needing very hard, alkaline water and an open sand bed.
Callochromis pleurospius
Redspot Callochromis bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
A demanding sand-sifting Tanganyikan cichlid for experienced keepers, needing very hard, alkaline water and an open sand bed.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Redspot Callochromis (Callochromis pleurospius) is a sand-loving Lake Tanganyika cichlid for the experienced Rift-lake keeper. Reaching around 4cm, it is a fish defined by its relationship with the substrate, sifting and working the open sandy floor in a way that is unmistakable once you have seen it.
This is a difficult-level species that demands exceptional, stable water quality. It thrives only in hard, strongly alkaline conditions and will not tolerate the swings a community tank often brings. As a bottom-dwelling carnivore and micro-predator it picks through fine sand for small foods, so an open sand bed is far more important to it than dense decor.
Semi-aggressive and capable of becoming territorial, it suits a carefully managed Tanganyikan aquarium where the keeper understands the water chemistry and stocking discipline these fish require.
Everything about this species points back to its sand-dwelling lifestyle. Give it an open sand bed it can sift, hold the water in the demanding 24 to 28°C and pH 7.8 to 9.0 range it requires, and aim for the higher end of cleanliness - this is a difficult-care fish for a reason, and it will not forgive neglected water. The 150-litre minimum reflects both its activity and its need for stable conditions.
Feeding suits its role as a carnivore and micro-predator: small meaty live and frozen foods that it can pick from the substrate. Keep the bioload modest and maintenance tight, and you will be rewarded with a fish that shows the substrate-working behaviour that makes the sand-dwelling Tanganyikans so distinctive.
Best companions are other Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and temperament, fellow sand-dwelling Tanganyikans, and robust Tanganyikan catfish of appropriate size. Avoid small community fish, highly aggressive territorial cichlids, fin-nipping species, soft-water fish and very small invertebrates. Shipped with a licensed live-animal courier under our live arrival guarantee. Establish its conditions before adding it, as a stable, mature tank suits this difficult species best.
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