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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Breeding Neolamprologus tretocephalus (Five-Bar Cichlid)
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.