Care guide · Freshwater · fish

Lemon cichlid care

Neolamprologus leleupi

Yellow form; photo: HblairH via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; modified. Photo: HblairH · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Resized and compressed; no cropping or colour changes.

The lemon cichlid (Neolamprologus leleupi) is a brightly coloured rock-dweller from Lake Tanganyika. A mature pair needs an aquarium at least 80 cm long under the more cautious of the reviewed recommendations; the 70-litre figure from a specialist applies to a single pair only. This fish is less straightforward than its popular trade name suggests: it tolerates conspecifics poorly and can become strongly territorial when breeding. Build plenty of rock crevices and caves, keep water quality stable, and do not simply place an adult male and female together.

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At a glance

Temperature: 24–26 °C
pH: 7.5–9.0
GH: 12–15 °dGH
Aquarium length: At least 80 cm
Adult size: Up to 10 cm
Group size: At least 2 individuals
Temperament: Territorial

About this species

Neolamprologus leleupi was described by Max Poll in 1956. The Catalog of Fishes and GBIF treat the name as valid; Lamprologus leleupi is the original combination. It belongs to the Cichlidae. FishBase reports a maximum of about 10 cm total length. Seriously Fish also gives 10 cm, but as standard length, excluding the tail; these measurements are not equivalent. The common aquarium form is yellow to orange. A darker form is described as N. l. melas. The separate species N. longior was formerly treated as a subspecies, which can cause confusion in older trade names.

Natural habitat

This cichlid occurs only in the southern part of Lake Tanganyika. It lives along rocky shorelines, using crevices in the rockwork. It picks invertebrates from the biocover and narrow recesses. Rocks provide feeding surfaces, refuges and spawning caves. An aquarium with open water but little cover does not reflect this habitat well and may leave a subordinate partner with nowhere to retreat.

Aquarium and layout

Build the aquarium around firmly stacked rockwork. Create several caves and crevices with visual barriers so one fish can retreat without crossing the other's territory. Use sand and stabilise rocks on the tank base before adding substrate; digging can undermine loose stacks. The cautious 80 cm length is a pair-only guideline, not a recommendation for a mixed community. Other fish require substantially more space and carefully separated zones. Keep a spare tank or divider available if the pair breaks down.

Water conditions

Seriously Fish gives routine aquarium guidance of 23–27 °C, pH 7.5–9.0 and GH 8–25 dGH. FishBase records ecological values of 24–26 °C, pH 7.5–8.0 and hardness 12–15 dH. The temperature and hardness ranges overlap; 24–26 °C and 12–15 dH are cautious reference intervals. The sources differ on pH, so do not combine them into false precision. The species is adapted to hard, alkaline Tanganyika water. Stability and good water quality matter more than rapid adjustment to one number. GH and KH are different measurements.

Behaviour and group size

Leleupi may be placid outside breeding, but it defends a cave and can become aggressive when spawning. It is particularly intolerant of its own kind; normally keep one established pair unless the aquarium is very large. A male and female do not automatically form a compatible pair, and a male may seriously injure a female that is not ready to spawn. Seriously Fish describes allowing young fish to pair naturally, then removing surplus individuals. In a large Tanganyika aquarium, that source lists small to medium Cyprichromis, Julidochromis or Altolamprologus from other zones as possibilities. This is not a guarantee: avoid boisterous, dominant cichlids, including Mbuna, and monitor the combination closely.

Feeding

In nature, the species picks small invertebrates from biocover and crevices. Seriously Fish recommends live and frozen foods as an important part of the diet. Offer suitable dry foods less often and include some plant matter, such as spirulina flakes. Feed small portions where the fish feel secure and remove leftovers. No current approved catalogue product with a suitable formula, variant and active offer has been individually confirmed, so this guide has no product link.

Breeding

Leleupi spawns in a cave and both parents care for the brood. The female attaches eggs to the cave wall or ceiling while the male guards the surrounding area. Seriously Fish reports hatching in about three to four days and free swimming at around eight to ten days. Brood care may continue for a long time, but the male can attack the female between spawns. Provide multiple refuges and a way to separate fish. Keep water especially clean: young fish are sensitive to bacteria and organic waste. The specialist's breeding values (about pH 8.2–9 and 25–26.5 °C) are not general maintenance targets.

Sources & review

This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on 17 October 2026.

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