Moderate
Lamprologus nkambae
23–27°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 60L
£18.99
Pearl-lined Lamprologus tetracanthus, a 5.5cm Tanganyikan carnivore for 80L+ hard-water tanks. Semi-aggressive, territorial when breeding.
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 tetracanthus
Pearl-Lined Lamprologus, Fourspined bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
Pearl-lined Lamprologus tetracanthus, a 5.5cm Tanganyikan carnivore for 80L+ hard-water tanks. Semi-aggressive, territorial when breeding.
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
Rows of pearly spots and lines give the Fourspined Pearl-Lined Lamprologus (Lamprologus tetracanthus) its trade name, and that pattern is the first thing you notice on this small Tanganyikan. The second is the attitude: at just 5.5 cm it carries itself like a far bigger cichlid, patrolling the bottom of the tank with real purpose and missing nothing that happens down there.
Set-up follows the classic Rift Lake recipe. Hard, alkaline water of pH 7.8–9.0 and 10–20 dGH, temperatures of 24–27 °C and a tank of 80 litres or more cover its recorded needs, while a carnivorous diet means meaty foods form the core of feeding. Care is moderate. Day to day it reads as semi-aggressive; the compatibility notes flag that it becomes properly territorial when breeding, so include defendable features along the tank floor from the outset.
Longevity is a quiet selling point — eight years is the recorded lifespan, excellent value from a fish this size and a strong argument for setting the aquarium up correctly the first time.
One further practical point from the record: hardness should not drop below 10 dGH, so keepers in soft-water regions of the UK will want to remineralise rather than run tap water straight into the tank. It is a small extra step, and the same preparation serves any other Rift Lake fish you keep alongside it. With that handled, an 80-litre aquarium delivers everything this species needs for the full eight-year run.
Sensible tankmates are other small Tanganyikan cichlids of similar temperament, non-aggressive Tanganyikan catfish and snails. Rule out large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, very peaceful slow-moving fish, and small shrimp or other tiny invertebrates that would be treated as food.
This species suits keepers building a small-bodied Tanganyika community with personality rather than bulk. Your order travels to any UK address with a licensed live-animal courier, backed by a live arrival guarantee. In short, it is a fish for keepers who actually watch their tanks rather than glance at them.
23–27°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 60L
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