Striped Telmatochromis (Telmatochromis vittatus) Care Guide
Slim Lamprologine with two horizontal stripes from snout to tail. Cave/crevice spawner reaching 8 cm. Peaceful enough for community Tanganyika setups; pairs form strong bonds.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Telmatochromis vittatus is a species in the family Cichlidae. Slim Lamprologine with two horizontal stripes from snout to tail. Cave/crevice spawner reaching 8 cm. Peaceful enough for community Tanganyika setups; pairs form strong bonds.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Telmatochromis
- Scientific name: Telmatochromis vittatus
- Origin: Africa, Lake Tanganyika
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, inhabiting rocky shorelines and shell beds. An elongated cichlid marked with horizontal stripes that shelters and breeds in rock crevices and empty snail shells. A substrate-spawning cichlid that forms pairs.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Adult size: 7-9 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: bottom
- Compatible tank mates: Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, Other shellies, Synodontis petricola
- Avoid with: Mbuna, Tropheus, Aggressive haps
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: cave-spawner
Breeding Telmatochromis vittatus
Overview
Telmatochromis vittatus is a small Lamprologine cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, reaching a maximum standard length of about 8.5 cm. It is a bi-parental cave spawner: pairs form naturally and, according to Seriously Fish, tend to remain together for life. Spawning is secretive, so a clutch is often noticed only once free-swimming fry appear.
Sexing
The species is not easy to sex. Adult males tend to be slightly larger than females and have a more slender shape; otherwise external differences are subtle, and reliable pairing usually comes from observing bonded behaviour rather than appearance.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a carnivorous diet appropriate to the species. Stable hard, alkaline water encourages spawning readiness. For breeding, Seriously Fish recommends a pH of 8.2-9.0 and a temperature of roughly 25-27 C (77-80 F).
Breeding Setup
Provide an aquarium of at least 75 cm (30 in) in length with sand substrate and numerous rock caves or empty shells. Tight crevices and shells where the pair can retreat and defend a brood are essential, since this fish is territorial and somewhat shy.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship is vigorous and easy to miss. The female deposits adhesive eggs on the wall or roof of a cave or shell. Stable mature water and the presence of a suitable cave act as the principal triggers; a settled, bonded pair will spawn repeatedly within their territory.
Egg & Fry Care
The female remains in the cave tending the eggs while the male guards the surrounding area. Brood care is short-lived: the adults lose interest once the fry are free swimming, roughly two weeks after spawning. At that stage the fry are large enough to accept brine shrimp nauplii, microworm or powdered dry foods.
Common Challenges
Because care ends early, free-swimming fry are best protected by moving them or removing the parents once independence is reached. The secretive spawning style means broods can be lost before they are noticed if predatory tankmates share the aquarium.