Five-Bar Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus) Care Guide
Neolamprologus tretocephalus is a robust, aggressive Tanganyika cichlid with five black bars and pharyngeal teeth adapted for crushing snails.
Overview
Neolamprologus tretocephalus is a robust cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, named for the five vertical black bars on a pale blue-white body. It was described by Boulenger in 1898 (formerly Lamprologus tretocephalus) and is a specialised mollusc-crusher.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Neolamprologus
- Scientific name: Neolamprologus tretocephalus
- Common synonyms: Lamprologus tretocephalus
Habitat
FishBase reports it from rocky areas of the northern half of Lake Tanganyika, absent from Zambian waters, at depths of roughly 1-10 metres (average around 5 m). It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79 gal)
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Rockwork with caves; sandy substrate
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
A large, territorial fish that needs space and structure. FishBase lists wild values near 24-26 °C, pH 7.6-8.0 and dH 8-12; the parameters above follow the verified care record for hard, alkaline conditions.
Diet
A carnivore and predator on molluscs. FishBase notes strong pharyngeal teeth adapted for crushing shells; the diet also includes insect larvae and crustaceans, with a trophic level around 3.4. In the aquarium it takes meaty frozen and prepared foods fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
Aggressive and mid-water in habit, becoming highly territorial when breeding. Best kept in larger tanks with similarly robust companions such as larger lamprologines and open-water Cyprichromis. Avoid mbuna and smaller shell-dwellers.
Breeding
A cave spawner. Pairs deposit eggs in a cave or crevice and defend the territory aggressively, in the typical lamprologine manner.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2025), per FishBase.