Neolamprologus sexfasciatus

The sexfasciatus takes its name from the six dark vertical bands on its body (sexfasciatus: six-banded). Its background color varies with the local form from bluish white to bright golden yellow; the "Gold" form, the most common in the trade, is very striking with its black bands on a yellow background. It grows up to 14 cm and is slightly larger and stockier than its close relative, the tretocephalus.

It is a strong, long-lived and territorial species. In a large aquarium it strikes a good balance with large Tanganyika species; it is not suitable for small, calm fish.

• Gold: the most common local form in the trade, with black bands on a golden-yellow background.
• Forms with a bluish-white background also exist; they can be confused with the tretocephalus, and the number of bands helps tell them apart.

It lives along the lake's rocky shores, among rock piles and where rock meets sand. Pairs set up a territory around a cave. It searches the rock surface and the sand between rocks for snails and small invertebrates.

• Volume: at least 200 liters and a length of 120 cm for a pair; 300 liters or more with other species.
• Rockwork: sturdy caves and rock groups that break lines of sight.
• Water: pH 8–9, hard and stable; a 25–30% water change every week.
• Substrate: fine sand; it digs around its nest.

Carnivorous. A quality cichlid granule should be the staple; vary it with frozen mysis, krill, brine shrimp and pieces of shrimp. Foods containing carotenoids keep the yellow tone vivid.

It defends the area around its nest; it is especially aggressive toward its own species, the tretocephalus and banded fish. It eats fish that fit in its mouth, fry and snails.

Good companions: Altolamprologus, large Julidochromis species, adult Cyprichromis, Synodontis catfish; Tropheus or frontosa in a large aquarium.

Avoid: the tretocephalus and other banded Neolamprologus species, shell-dwelling cichlids, small fish, shrimp and snails.

• Kept as a pair.
• 5–6 juveniles are grown up together and the pair that forms naturally is chosen; the rest are removed.
• The pair's fry can stay in the territory for a few months; once mature they are chased by the parents.
• An individual showing signs of an incompatible pair (hiding, torn fins) should be removed immediately.

It spawns inside a cave or under a stone. The female tends the eggs while the male guards the area around the nest. The fry become free-swimming after about a week and are fed newly hatched brine shrimp. The parents lead the fry around together for a while.

• Hardy; soft water and low pH are the biggest risk.
• Bloat: seen with overfeeding and a monotonous diet.
• Faded color: a sign of stress, poor water or inadequate diet.

Difficult from the outside. Males are usually larger; in older males the forehead swells slightly. A definite distinction is made by looking at the genital papilla.