Cylindricus cichlid

Neolamprologus cylindricus is a strikingly marked rock-dwelling cichlid from the rocky coastlines of Lake Tanganyika. Its elongated, cylindrical body carries bold dark vertical bars over a pale ground, with blue-tinged fins, and it hovers close to crevices into which it darts when threatened. Although modest in size, it is decidedly territorial and aggressive, especially toward conspecifics and similar-shaped species, so provide a large tank with abundant rockwork creating many caves and clear boundaries. A single specimen or an established, bonded pair works best; keeping several risks serious fighting. Water must be hard, alkaline and warm with high carbonate hardness. It is a lurking predator of invertebrates, so feed meaty frozen foods such as mysis, cyclops and brine shrimp plus a carnivore pellet. Choose robust tankmates that occupy different niches, avoiding other elongated cave-holders that would provoke constant conflict.