Moderate
Pearly Compressiceps Zaire (Lamprologus calvus zaire black fin)
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 200L
£23.99
An elegant Tanganyikan cichlid with a pearly sheen and striking body shape, ideal for hard-water aquariums with rockwork and caves. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 23-26C, pH 7.5-8.5.
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 calvus
Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.
An elegant Tanganyikan cichlid with a pearly sheen and striking body shape, ideal for hard-water aquariums with rockwork and caves. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 23-26C, pH 7.5-8.5.
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.
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
Understated and beautifully built, the Pearly Compressiceps (Lamprologus calvus) is a connoisseur's Tanganyikan cichlid. A pearly sheen across a tall, laterally compressed body gives it a sculpted look, and at around 8cm it makes a refined addition to a hard-water Rift-lake aquarium.
Caves and rockwork are everything to this species. A bottom-region carnivore, it slips into tight crevices to hunt and to shelter, and it shows its best behaviour when the aquascape offers plenty of secure hiding places. It needs hard, alkaline water and the patience of a mature, stable tank, which is why it sits at a moderate rather than beginner care level.
Semi-aggressive and able to become territorial, it is nonetheless a relatively calm cichlid that defends its chosen retreat rather than dominating open water. Thoughtful stocking lets its quiet character come through.
Aquascaping is where this fish is won or lost. A 150-litre or larger tank built around caves and rockwork gives it the secure crevices it relies on to hunt and shelter, and the more refuges you provide, the more relaxed and visible it becomes. Hold the water between 23 and 26°C, the pH from 7.5 to 8.5 and hardness from 10 to 25 dGH to keep it firmly in its hard, alkaline comfort zone.
As a bottom-region carnivore it takes small meaty prepared and frozen foods, fed steadily rather than in large amounts. Slow to develop and capable of living around eight years, it is a long-term resident that rewards a patient keeper with its understated, sculpted good looks once it has fully settled in.
Suitable companions include other Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and temperament, rock-dwelling Tanganyikan species of comparable size, and peaceful Tanganyikan catfish where the tank is large and territories are well defined. Avoid small community fish that may be bullied or eaten, very aggressive large cichlids, fin-nipping species and soft-water fish requiring acidic conditions. Delivery is handled by a licensed live-animal courier, with our live arrival guarantee included.
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