{"product_id":"neolamprologus-helianthus-neolamprologus-helianthus","title":"Neolamprologus helianthus | Neolamprologus helianthus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA sun-kissed Neolamprologus with warm golden tones and the classic alert, perched posture of the rock-dwellers. A lesser-seen Tanganyikan gem, 'Helianthus' typically reaches about 6–7 cm, with dominant males growing to around 9 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus helianthus\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 slim, elegant cichlid in warm golden-yellow to olive tones, with subtle iridescent spangling on the face and fins and delicate fin edging. Dominant males are the largest and most richly coloured; the species takes its name (helianthus, 'sunflower') from that golden glow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTerritorial around its own patch of rockwork, but manageable in a well-scaped tank with defined caves and boundaries. Keep as a pair or small group with space, alongside other Tanganyikans that occupy different zones. Rival males will spar over territory, so provide plenty of broken-up rockwork.\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 spawner. A pair adopts a rocky crevice, spawns on the cave roof or wall, and both parents tend the eggs and fry. Provide plenty of caves and stable, hard, alkaline water to trigger and support breeding.\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 helianthus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSunflower Lamprologus ('Helianthus')\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\u003eTypically 6–7 cm; dominant males to ~9 cm\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 rockwork\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\u003e90 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 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\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 tankmates using different levels 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 boisterous fish that disturb the rockwork and territories.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784662819,"sku":null,"price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784695587,"sku":"BA8260","price":41.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Neolamprologus_helianthus_d4364b7a-f5ea-4c39-ad87-13618fa70486.jpg?v=1781446531","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/neolamprologus-helianthus-neolamprologus-helianthus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}