Breeding Altolamprologus compressiceps

Breeding Altolamprologus compressiceps: a laterally compressed Tanganyikan cichlid that spawns in small crevices and shells where only the female fits.

Overview

Altolamprologus compressiceps is a highly laterally compressed predatory Lamprologine from Lake Tanganyika. According to Seriously Fish, adult males reach 100-125 mm and females 90-100 mm. It is a substrate spawner that naturally lays its brood in crevices or cavities among rocks, typically so small that only the female can fit inside.

Sexing

Sexual dimorphism is clear in size: males are noticeably larger than females and develop slightly extended fins as they mature. This size difference underpins the breeding behaviour, in which the small female occupies a crevice or shell while the larger male remains outside.

Conditioning

Maintain hard, alkaline water; Seriously Fish lists a temperature of 24-28 C, a pH of 8.0-9.0 and hardness of 125-447 ppm. As a specialised carnivore, condition adults on foods such as bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia, chopped prawn or small earthworms.

Breeding Setup

Seriously Fish suggests a minimum base of 120 x 45 cm. Offer narrow rock crevices and small shells sized so only the female can enter. The species is best kept as a single pair, though it can be maintained in groups in larger aquaria, and is not especially territorial.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The female enters a small crevice or shell and lays her eggs there; the male fertilises them and then departs. A bonded pair with suitable small cavities in mature lake-type water will spawn readily.

Egg & Fry Care

The female guards the brood through an incubation that usually lasts 3-5 days, with parental care ending once the fry become free-swimming. The young are large enough to accept Artemia nauplii immediately. Growth is slow, and it can be a year or more before they reach sexual maturity.

Common Challenges

Providing crevices small enough that only the female fits is key to the natural spawning mode. Because care ends at free-swimming, fry survival improves if they are protected from predatory tankmates once they leave the shelter.