{"product_id":"white-calvus-altolamprologus-calvus","title":"White Calvus | Altolamprologus calvus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-bodied, armour-scaled and impossibly elegant, the White Calvus drifts up to rocky crevices and inhales shrimp and fry whole. Slow-growing, calm for a predator, and worth every bit of the wait - a Tanganyikan classic prized for its striking pale colouration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, found among rocky habitats where it uses its narrow, laterally compressed body to squeeze into crevices and gaps between rocks in search of prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA high-backed, compressed cichlid with large scales and a distinctive underslung jaw. The White form shows a near-white body with the usual dark barring reduced to a pale grey, giving a strikingly clean, pearly appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA predator by nature but slow-moving and relatively calm, with aggression directed mainly at its own species and similar shell-dwellers competing for the same crevices. Best kept as a single specimen or bonded pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that prefers meaty frozen foods such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and chopped krill, though it will also take quality flake and slow-sinking pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA minimum of 150 litres is recommended, with 200 litres or more ideal, alongside strong filtration and water movement. Provide plenty of rockwork forming caves and crevices, and keep water hard and very alkaline to match Lake Tanganyika conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner that lays eggs deep inside rocky crevices, often in gaps too small for the keeper to see. The female guards the eggs and fry within the cave while the male defends the surrounding territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAltolamprologus calvus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite Calvus\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\u003eUp to 15cm (males); 10cm (females)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-10 years or more (slow-growing)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory but calm; aggression mainly towards own species\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\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore - meaty frozen foods, flake and pellets\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\u003e8.0-9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20+ dGH (very 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\u003eTanganyikan cichlid communities\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\u003eNot typically planted - very hard, alkaline water suits rockscapes better than most live plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther Tanganyikan cichlids of a similar size, such as Julidochromis, Cyprichromis and other Altolamprologus - avoid fish small enough to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall fish or fry, and species from soft, acidic water that can't tolerate Tanganyika's hard, alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784892195,"sku":"BA8256-S","price":55.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784924963,"sku":"BA8256","price":65.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232784957731,"sku":"BA8256-L","price":75.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/white-calvus-altolamprologus-43879875739939.webp?v=1790305827","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/white-calvus-altolamprologus-calvus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}