Neolamprologus caudopunctatus

Despite its plain gray-beige body, caudopunctatus catches the eye with the bright yellow-orange edge of its dorsal fin and its tail decorated with fine spots (caudopunctatus: spotted tail). It stays around 7 cm and is one of the more compatible members of the genus Neolamprologus. It spawns in small hollows, under stones or in empty shells on bottoms where sand and rubble mix. When there is enough floor space, several pairs build nests side by side and form a loose colony.

• 80 liters for a pair; 150 liters and a wide footprint for a colony of several pairs.
• Fine sand, small piles of stones, a few snail shells and small caves.
• pH 8–9, hard water; a 25% water change every week.
• It keeps its digging limited to the area around its nest and rarely harms plants.

Its diet is mostly carnivorous. Make small-grained cichlid granules the staple and vary it with frozen cyclops, mysis and brine shrimp.

It defends a territory around its nest but is usually restrained toward other species. It becomes more protective when it has fry.

Good companions: Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, Julidochromis species and, in a large tank, shell dwellers.

Avoid: large carnivorous Tanganyika cichlids, quarrelsome Tropheus and mbuna, shrimp.