{"product_id":"black-calvus-altolamprologus-calvus","title":"Black Calvus | Altolamprologus calvus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Calvus is the height of Tanganyikan class - a laterally flattened, pearl-spangled ambush predator that moves with slow, deliberate grace. Dark-bodied and dusted with white spots, it is mesmerising to watch as it hangs among the rocks. A slow-growing, hardy but patient fish reaching around 13cm, best suited to a keeper who enjoys its unhurried, watchful nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltolamprologus calvus lives among the rocky shorelines and boulder-strewn slopes of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, where its flattened body lets it slip into tight crevices to hunt. The lake is hard, highly alkaline and very stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA strongly laterally compressed cichlid with a pointed head, deep body and heavily armoured scales. The black form is dark-bodied, scattered with iridescent pearl-white spots along the flanks and fins. Males grow noticeably larger than females, which stay smaller and rounder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slow-moving ambush predator that is peaceful toward fish it cannot swallow but will eat small fish, fry and shrimp. Males are territorial toward each other. It suits a Tanganyikan community of similarly hardy species and should not be housed with tiny fish that become prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that preys on small invertebrates, fry and shrimp in the wild. Offer meaty frozen and live foods such as mysis, brine shrimp and krill, alongside a quality carnivore pellet. Feed measured amounts - it is a slow, deliberate feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide plenty of rockwork with caves and crevices, a sandy base, and hard, very alkaline, stable Rift Lake water. Good filtration and low nitrate suit it. It is hardy once settled but slow-growing and long-lived, so patience is rewarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner with a distinctive twist: the female is much smaller and lays her eggs deep inside a narrow shell or crevice too tight for the larger male, who fertilises from outside. She guards the eggs and fry within the cave. Empty snail shells and small rock caves make ideal spawning sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAltolamprologus calvus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Calvus (Pearly Lamprologus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrica (Lake Tanganyika)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 13cm (males; females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow, predatory (peaceful to larger fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.0-9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRocky Tanganyikan aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (rarely bothers plants; few used in a Rift Lake setup)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar temperament, such as Julidochromis, Neolamprologus (larger species), Cyprichromis in open water, and calvus\/compressiceps of the same size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall fish, fry and shrimp that will be eaten, boisterous large cichlids that will bully it off its territory, and soft-water community species needing very different water chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232786694435,"sku":"AA3555-S","price":75.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232786727203,"sku":"AA3555","price":85.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232786759971,"sku":"AA3555-L","price":95.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-calvus-altolamprologus-43880417919267.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-calvus-altolamprologus-calvus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}