Moderate
Dwarf Shell-Dweller, Brevis (Lamprologus brevis)
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 60L
£13.99
A tiny Lake Tanganyika cichlid, around 3cm, best kept with its own kind in a hard-water species tank.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Lamprologus caudopunktatus r. f.
Lamprologus caudopunktatus r. f. bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
A tiny Lake Tanganyika cichlid, around 3cm, best kept with its own kind in a hard-water species tank.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
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
Few small Rift-lake cichlids reward close watching like the Lamprologus caudopunktatus r. f.. At roughly 3cm fully grown it is one of the more diminutive Tanganyikans we stock, but it makes up for its size with busy, ground-level activity and a surprisingly bold attitude around its chosen territory.
This is a hard-water specialist that belongs in a dedicated African setup rather than a mixed community. It lives at the bottom of the tank and feeds as a carnivore, so a well-structured substrate with sheltering features gives it the security it needs. Like others in its group it is semi-aggressive and can become territorial, particularly in tighter quarters.
Because of its small stature, it does best kept with its own kind or as the focus of a species tank, where its natural behaviour can play out without larger fish crowding it off the bottom. Patience with water stability pays off in confident, settled fish.
Because this is such a small cichlid, the details of the layout matter more than raw tank size. Hold the temperature between 24 and 27°C with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and hardness in the 10 to 30 dGH range, and give the bottom of the 80-litre tank enough texture for it to claim a patch and feel secure. A clean, mature filter and steady parameters bring out its boldest behaviour.
As a carnivore it does best on small meaty foods sized to suit its frame, fed little and often rather than in large doses. Kept as a group of its own kind, it settles into natural territorial routines that are genuinely entertaining to follow, which is exactly why the species-tank approach tends to suit it best.
It is best kept with conspecifics or in a species tank, and only cautiously with other small Tanganyikan species or small Tanganyikan catfish where water and temperament match and space allows. Keep large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, soft-water community fish and very small fish out of the picture. Orders are sent via a licensed live-animal courier with our live arrival guarantee.
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 60L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 40L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 40L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 40L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 40L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 40L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 500L
20–27°C · pH 6–7 · 54L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 300L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L