{"product_id":"lemon-cichlid-neolamprologus-leleupi","title":"Lemon Cichlid | Neolamprologus leleupi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA slab of pure electric yellow against dark Tanganyikan rock — the Lemon Cichlid is one of the most striking small cichlids in the hobby. It stays compact at around 10 cm but carries a bold, territorial personality, and its glowing colour makes it a superb centrepiece for a hard-water rockscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, \u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus leleupi\u003c\/em\u003e lives among the rocky shoreline, threading through crevices and caves in hard, very alkaline, mineral-rich water. It is a cave-dweller by nature, rarely straying far from the shelter of the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elongate, torpedo-shaped cichlid coloured a solid, saturated yellow from nose to tail — the depth of colour varies from bright lemon to deep gold depending on line and diet. Males grow slightly larger than females and develop a fuller head with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally placid in open water but genuinely territorial around its chosen cave, especially when breeding. Best kept with other Tanganyikans of similar temperament. Give plenty of rockwork with defined territories to spread aggression and let each fish hold its own patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore\/insectivore in the wild, feeding on small invertebrates. In the aquarium offer quality cichlid pellets or flakes as a base, supplemented with frozen brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia and bloodworm. Avoid excessive protein from mammalian sources, which Rift Lake cichlids digest poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHard, alkaline, spotlessly clean water is essential. Provide a rocky aquascape with plenty of caves and crevices, strong filtration and good oxygenation. Stable, mineral-rich water and regular maintenance keep the colour vivid and the fish healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner. A bonded pair will claim a cave, lay eggs on its ceiling or wall, and both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely. Soft-water tricks are not needed — good hard water, stable conditions and a quality diet 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\u003eNeolamprologus leleupi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLemon Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 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\u003eSemi-aggressive; territorial when breeding\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\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (small invertebrates, quality prepared foods)\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\u003eIntermediate keepers; Tanganyikan rockscape tanks\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 — does not eat plants (though the tank is naturally a rockscape)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther Tanganyikan cichlids of similar size and temperament — \u003cem\u003eJulidochromis\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAltolamprologus\u003c\/em\u003e, calvus\/comps, and rock-dwelling catfish such as \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e. Best in a dedicated Tanganyikan community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, very peaceful timid species, and boisterous Malawi mbuna that will overwhelm it. Avoid crowding multiple males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232783122723,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232783155491,"sku":"AA3520","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lemon-cichlid-neolamprologus-leleupi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}