{"product_id":"neolamprologus-caudopunctatus-neolamprologus-caudopunctatus","title":"Neolamprologus caudopunctatus | Neolamprologus caudopunctatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small, peaceable Neolamprologus with a powder-blue sheen and a warm orange edge to the dorsal fin. The 'Caudo' is one of the hardier, more easygoing introductions to Tanganyikan rock- and cave-dwellers, reaching around 7–8 cm, and it spawns readily in caves or shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus caudopunctatus\u003c\/em\u003e comes from Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, one of the oldest and hardest freshwater lakes on Earth. Its water is warm, highly mineralised, very alkaline and exceptionally stable, and its rocky and sandy shores are carved up into countless small territories. Success with any Tanganyikan depends on recreating that hard, alkaline, rock-solid water chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA slender, silvery-fawn cichlid overlaid with a delicate powder-blue shimmer, fine dark speckling on the tail base and an attractive orange-red margin to the dorsal fin. Males grow a little larger than females and show slightly extended finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful for a Tanganyikan, but territorial around its chosen cave or shell, especially when breeding. Best kept as a pair or small group with space, and combines well with mid-water Tanganyikans such as Cyprichromis that occupy a different niche. Multiple males need a larger footprint to avoid squabbles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA micro-predator\/carnivore in nature, feeding on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. Offer a quality small cichlid pellet plus frozen cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and finely-chopped meaty foods. Avoid mammal-based foods. Small, frequent feeds suit their tiny mouths best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline, very stable water: pH 7.8–9.0, high GH and KH, and a temperature of 24–27 °C. Aquascape with plenty of rockwork to create caves and clear territorial boundaries, over a sand base. Filtration should be efficient and water changes regular but matched carefully for temperature and chemistry, as these fish resent sudden swings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave\/shell spawner. The female lays her eggs inside a cavity, invites the male to fertilise them and then guards and fans the clutch, often covering the entrance with sand. Eggs hatch in 3–4 days and fry are free-swimming a few days later. An easy, rewarding first Tanganyikan to breed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus caudopunctatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaudopunctatus Cichlid ('Caudo')\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 7–8 cm (males); females smaller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial (around cave\/shell); otherwise peaceable\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\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro-predator)\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, alkaline)\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\u003eTanganyikan biotope and hard-water setups\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 (won't eat plants, though few tolerate hard water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCyprichromis, Julidochromis, other small Neolamprologus, Altolamprologus and hard-water-tolerant tankmates that occupy different zones of the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, Rift Lake fish needing very different water, large predators, and — in a small shell-dweller tank — boisterous fish that disturb the sand and shell bed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232786497827,"sku":"AA3575-S","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232786530595,"sku":"AA3575","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/neolamprologus-caudopunctatu-43880415133987.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/neolamprologus-caudopunctatus-neolamprologus-caudopunctatus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}