Lemon Cichlid (Neolamprologus leleupi) Care Guide
Neolamprologus leleupi, the Lemon cichlid, is a slim cave-dwelling Tanganyika species whose colour ranges from bright yellow to brown.
Overview
Neolamprologus leleupi, the Lemon cichlid, is a slim recess-dweller endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Its colour ranges from bright yellow to deep brown, with both forms occurring at the same sites. The species was described by Max Poll in 1956 and is easily confused with the very similar N. longior.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Neolamprologus
- Scientific name: Neolamprologus leleupi
- Described by Poll, 1956
Habitat
A recess-dweller, it inhabits cracks and crevices in the rocky zone. FishBase reports it from the southern half of Lake Tanganyika and classes it as a freshwater, benthopelagic species of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (53 gal)
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Rockwork with caves and crevices
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Provide rockwork with defendable caves. FishBase lists wild values near 24-26 °C, pH 7.5-8.0 and dH 12-15; the parameters above follow the verified care record for hard, alkaline conditions.
Diet
A carnivore that feeds on invertebrates living in the rich biocover and deep recesses of the substrate, with a trophic level around 3.6 per FishBase. In the aquarium it accepts meaty frozen and prepared foods fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive and bottom-oriented; pairs claim a cave and defend it strongly. Suitable companions include Cyprichromis, Julidochromis and Synodontis petricola. Avoid mbuna, Tropheus and aggressive haplochromines.
Breeding
A substrate (cave) spawner. Pairs deposit eggs inside a crevice or cave and guard the brood, following the typical lamprologine cave-spawning pattern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2025), per FishBase.