Lamprologus speciosus, lat. Lamprologus speciosus- Lamprologus speciosus distribution
Family: Cichlidae;
Genus: Lamprologus;
Species and synonyms: Lamprologus speciosus (Black Ocellatus, Lamprologus speciosus, Speciose Shell Dweller).
GBIF:
Lamprologus speciosus (lat. Lamprologus speciosus) is a species of ray-finned fish from the order Cichliformes, family Cichlidae, genus Lamprologus. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Distribution. Lamprologus speciosus is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found mainly in the southern part of the lake, off the coast of Zambia. The species prefers sandy and shell-strewn bottom areas at depths from 5 to 20 meters, where empty snail shells are present, serving as shelter and spawning sites.
Care requirements. Lamprologus speciosus is a dwarf cichlid, growing up to 5–6 cm. For keeping a pair or a small group, an aquarium of 50 liters or more is recommended. Empty snail shells must be placed on the bottom — 2–3 shells per fish. Optimal water parameters: temperature 24–27°C, hardness 8–20 dGH, pH 7.5–9.0. Powerful filtration, aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are required. Diet: live and frozen foods (brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, cyclops), as well as high-quality dry flakes and granules with high protein content.
Lamprologus speciosus are monogamous shell-dwelling cichlids that form stable pairs. Spawning occurs inside the shell, where the female lays up to 20–30 eggs. The female cares for the eggs and fry, remaining at the entrance to the shell, while the male guards the territory. The incubation period lasts about 7–10 days, after another 5–7 days the fry begin to leave the shell and switch to independent feeding. Fry are fed brine shrimp nauplii, microworms and fine dry food. They reach sexual maturity by 8–10 months.
In the wild, Lamprologus speciosus feeds on small invertebrates, which it digs out of the sand. The fish show pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are larger, with brighter dark-golden coloration and characteristic eye spots on the sides; females are smaller and more modestly colored, with a less pronounced pattern. The main difference from Lamprologus ocellatus is the darker, almost black body coloration with a golden sheen and more contrasting eye spots.
Thanks to its striking coloration and interesting behavior, Lamprologus speciosus is popular among aquarists specializing in Tanganyikan cichlids. Due to territoriality, they are not recommended to be kept with peaceful small fish, but only with other cichlids from Lake Tanganyika of comparable size. Under favorable conditions, the lifespan is 5–8 years.
Lamprologus meleagris