{"product_id":"gold-compressiceps-altolamprologus-compressiceps","title":"Gold Compressiceps | Altolamprologus compressiceps","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA golden, flat-bodied ambusher that slips sideways into rocky crevices to snatch prey, the Compressiceps is one of the great characters of Lake Tanganyika. Its laterally compressed, armour-scaled body lets it hunt where other fish cannot follow. Slow-moving, hardy and full of presence, males reach around 15 cm, making it a superb centrepiece for a well-chosen Tanganyikan tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, in the rocky shoreline zones. It lurks among boulders and crevices in hard, alkaline, mineral-rich water, ambushing small fish and invertebrates from cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, strongly flattened body with a steep forehead, large defensive scales and a deceptively large mouth. This is the golden colour form, glowing yellow-gold, often with faint barring and blue or orange highlights in the fins. Males are notably larger than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA slow, deliberate predator rather than a boisterous bully. It is territorial around its chosen crevice and will eat any fish small enough to swallow, but it is otherwise fairly reserved. Keep it with other robust, similarly-minded Tanganyikans of a size it cannot eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that in the wild ambushes small fish and shrimp. Feed meaty frozen foods — mysis, krill, prawn and the like — along with a quality cichlid pellet. Avoid mammalian meats. It is a patient, opportunistic feeder rather than a constant grazer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest suited to intermediate keepers. It needs hard, alkaline, very stable water and a rocky aquascape with plenty of caves and crevices to claim and ambush from. Good filtration and steady water quality keep it in top condition; it is otherwise hardy and long-lived.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave and shell spawner. The much larger female often wedges into a narrow crevice or shell to lay, where only she can fit, while the male fertilises from outside. She guards the eggs and fry closely. Provide suitable rock crevices or large shells to trigger spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAltolamprologus compressiceps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Compressiceps \/ Compressed Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa (endemic)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 cm (males; females ~8 cm)\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 predator (territorial)\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\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\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\u003e7.8–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\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\u003eHard-water rocky 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)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther robust Tanganyikan cichlids of a size it cannot swallow — Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, calvus, larger Cyprichromis and similar rock-dwellers that share its hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny fish small enough to be eaten, soft-water species, and very aggressive open-water cichlids that would harass this slow-moving ambusher.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232785121571,"sku":"BA8305","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232785154339,"sku":"BA8305-M","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232785187107,"sku":"BA8305-L","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/gold-compressiceps-altolampr-43879972208931.webp?v=1790305827","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-compressiceps-altolamprologus-compressiceps","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}