Neolamprologus savoryi Care Guide
Neolamprologus savoryi is a small lamprologine cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, living in sediment-rich rocky zones and breeding in caves.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Neolamprologus savoryi is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Poll in 1949. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where according to FishBase it occurs in the sediment-rich regions of the lake. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 8 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Neolamprologus
- Scientific name: Neolamprologus savoryi
- Described by: Poll, 1949
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and occurs roughly between 3°S and 9°S. According to FishBase it lives in sediment-rich regions, usually at depths of about 6 to 12 m. Its name honours Bryan Wyman Savory, an administrator during a 1946-1947 hydrobiological expedition to the lake.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (FishBase records 23-26 °C)
- pH: 8.5-9.2 (FishBase records 7.3-8.5)
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
Diet
Neolamprologus savoryi is a carnivore; FishBase reports a high trophic level of about 4.2, indicating a diet of animal prey. In the aquarium it accepts small meaty and prepared foods.
Compatibility
This small, semi-aggressive lamprologine occupies the middle and lower levels of the tank. Suitable companions include Cyprichromis, Julidochromis and Synodontis petricola, while aggressive Mbuna and Tropheus should be avoided.
Breeding
Based on the record, Neolamprologus savoryi is a cave spawner that deposits its eggs on hidden surfaces within rocky shelters.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Neolamprologus savoryi Breeding Guide
Overview
Neolamprologus savoryi is a rock-dwelling Brichardi-complex lamprologine from Lake Tanganyika that forms colonies, reaching about 8 cm. It is a cave spawner with extended, multi-generation brood care: previous generations of fry are allowed to remain with the parents until they reach sexual maturity, so several generations often coexist in the same aquarium.
Sexing
The species is not easy to sex, though adult males tend to be larger than females. Because of this, breeding pairs are usually obtained by buying a group of young fish and letting them pair off naturally.
Conditioning
Purchase a group of at least six young fish and allow them to form a monogamous pair bond. Condition the colony on quality foods; once a pair forms it is highly aggressive toward conspecifics outside the family group.
Breeding Setup
Provide a rocky tank of at least about 75 cm in length with plenty of caves and crevices. Maintain hard alkaline water around pH 8.2-9.0 and a temperature of roughly 25-27 C (77-80 F), typical of Tanganyika.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair spawns secretly in a cave, which they often excavate themselves, with the female laying her eggs on the wall or roof of the cave. After spawning the female tends the eggs while the male guards the area around the cave, and the pair continues to spawn at intervals.
Egg & Fry Care
Care is biparental and colonial: older juveniles from earlier spawns help tend the cave and are tolerated until they mature. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from birth but are quite slow growing.
Common Challenges
Establishing a compatible pair from a group is the main hurdle, and the pair's aggression toward outsiders means tankmates must be chosen carefully. Slow fry growth requires patience, and stable warm, hard, alkaline water is essential.