Breeding Neolamprologus tretocephalus (Five-Bar Cichlid)

Breeding the Five-Bar Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus): a bi-parental cave spawner with intense male brood defence and weak pair bonds.

Overview

Neolamprologus tretocephalus, the Five-Bar Cichlid, is a robust Lamprologine from Lake Tanganyika reaching about 15 cm. It is a bi-parental cave spawner. Seriously Fish describes it as aggressive and territorial, with reproduction possible but infrequent in aquaria.

Sexing

It is a difficult species to sex; adult males do tend to grow larger than females. There are no reliable external markers, so pairing usually comes from growing on a group.

Conditioning

Keep hard, alkaline water; Seriously Fish recommends a pH of 8.2-9.0 and a temperature of about 25-27 C (77-80 F) for breeding. A varied carnivorous diet conditions adults.

Breeding Setup

Provide a tank of at least 120 cm (48 in) in length with sand and rockwork. The pair excavates their own cave, so an arrangement that permits digging is helpful. Given the strong aggression, ample space and barriers are important.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The pair excavates a cave and the female deposits eggs on the cave floor. Spawning is so secretive that it is often impossible to tell a pair has spawned until fry appear. A bonded pair in mature water is the main requirement.

Egg & Fry Care

The female tends the eggs while the male guards the surrounding area, becoming extremely aggressive at this stage. After the fry become free-swimming the male takes over care for 2-3 weeks before becoming intolerant of the female. Fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from birth.

Common Challenges

The pair bond is weak, lasting only through spawning and brood care, after which the male may turn on the female. Pairing is difficult and purchased adult pairs often fail; a large, well-divided tank reduces casualties.