{"product_id":"lepidolamprologus-elongatus-lepidolamprologus-elongatus","title":"Lepidiolamprologus elongatus | Lepidiolamprologus elongatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA sleek, torpedo-shaped hunter that patrols the rocks of Lake Tanganyika for smaller fish — fast, sharp-eyed and all business. This is a predatory Tanganyikan cichlid for a roomy, robust hard-water tank; it commonly reaches 15–20 cm and can grow larger, so it needs space and tankmates it can't swallow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, \u003cem\u003eLepidiolamprologus elongatus\u003c\/em\u003e lives over rocky shorelines and along the rubble zone, hunting in hard, very alkaline, mineral-rich water. It uses rock crevices as ambush points and refuges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong and streamlined — built for speed — with a silvery-grey body, faint dark markings and a slightly upturned, predatory mouth. Mature fish develop subtle iridescence and grow noticeably robust with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA genuine piscivore and territorial predator. It will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth and can be pushy toward other cichlids. Keep it with similarly sized, robust Tanganyikans in a large, rock-structured tank with defined territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarnivore\/piscivore. Feed meaty foods — quality carnivore pellets, frozen prawn, mysis, krill and fish pieces. It does not require live feeder fish, which carry disease risk; a varied frozen and prepared diet keeps it in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHard, alkaline, well-filtered and well-oxygenated water is essential. Build a stable rockscape with caves and open swimming lanes, and provide plenty of length. Robust and hardy once settled, but needs pristine water and space to show its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner. A pair claims a cave or rock crevice, spawns on its surface, and both parents guard the eggs and fry aggressively. Firm, hard, stable water and secure territories encourage breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLepidiolamprologus elongatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElongate Lamprologus\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\u003eCommonly 15–20 cm; up to ~30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory; 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\u003e280 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore \/ piscivore (meaty foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–28 °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; large Tanganyikan predator 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 (naturally a rockscape fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, similarly sized Tanganyikans: larger \u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAltolamprologus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCyphotilapia\u003c\/em\u003e (frontosa) in bigger tanks, and sturdy \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e catfish. Choose tankmates too big to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall fish of any kind (they become food), timid or slow species, and soft-water community fish. Avoid crowding with other pushy predators in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784761123,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784793891,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232784826659,"sku":"BA8258","price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351958405411,"sku":null,"price":69.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lepidolamprologus-elongatus-lepidolamprologus-elongatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}