Orange Leleupi Cichlid

General information

This species consists of 2 subspecies: N. leleupi leleupi and N. leleupi melas. The former is the typical yellow fish while the latter is darker in color. Males usually reach 4 inches while females only reach 3.5 inches. To keep this species in captivity, water pH should be between 8.0 and 9.0 and water temperature should be between 73ºF and 81ºF. The aquarium should have a sandy substrate, rocks and caves. It can be kept in a community aquarium with medium sized Tanganyikan Cichlids and it should never be kept with Mbunas. It is highly aggressive with their own kind and so it should be kept in pairs. A 20 gallon aquarium is enough for a pair, if mixed with other species a 40 gallon aquarium is recommended.

This species is carnivorous. In the wild, they feed on aquatic insects, copepods and zoobenthic organisms. In captivity, they can be fed with flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia.

Mature males are larger than females.

To breed this species in captivity it is best to buy a group and let the individuals pair off naturally. Once a pair forms, which may take a year, the other individuals should be removed from the tank. The breeding tank should be at least 30 inches in length. These fish spawn in caves, the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them then the female tends to the eggs while the male guards the territory. The eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days, the fry become free swimming in 8 to 10 days and can be fed with brine shrimp. After the fry reach 1 inch they should be separated from the adults to avoid attacks.

This species inhabits rocky areas along the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, Africa.