Neolamprologus furcifer
Neolamprologus furcifer was first described by Boulenger in 1898. Genus name Neolamprologus can be broken down into three parts. “Neo” is Greek for “new,” “lampros” means “radiant” or “bright,” and “lagos” stands for “hare.” So the name suggests a new genus of radiant or bright hare-like cichlids. The species name furcifer has two parts: “Furca” is Latin for “fork” and “fero” means “bear.” The name probably refers to the fish’s forked or deeply incised caudal fin.
Synonym: Lamprologus furcifer.
Appearance, Behavior and Life Expectancy of Neolamprologus furcifer
Neolamprologus furcifer has an elongated, laterally flattened body. The body length is up to 15 centimeters, with an average length around 13 centimeters. The basic color is variable and can be gray, beige, loamy brown, coppery brown or dark purple. Depending on the mood, six dark transverse bands may be visible on the flanks. The iris (the colored part of the eye) is light blue to golden yellow. The scales are small and more numerous than in similar cichlids. The scales also cover the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The deeply forked caudal fin extends, especially in older fish, into two long points (hence the name furcifer, meaning”fork-bearing”). Males and females are difficult to tell apart, but older males develop a hump on the back of their head.
Sex differences and juveniles
The main physical differences between males and females are the larger body size of adult males and the development of a hump on the back of the head in older males. Behavioral differences between the sexes are related to reproduction; males are polygamous and have a harem of five or six females. Juvenile fish are slimmer and may have a more pointed head than adults. Color patterns may also vary with age.
Behavior and temperament
Neolamprologus furcifer lives in shallow waters of Lake Tanganyika, on rocky shores. They exhibit a strong attachment to rocky habitats and are often found in crevices and cavities. They often swim belly-up at the base of overhanging rocks or head-up or down steep cliffs. They may be nocturnal, which is suggested by their large eyes, and show themselves during the day only in shady places. The fish are territorial and defend their territory fiercely. They usually live as a pair or solitary, but males may have a harem. They are shy and quickly hide in crevices and cavities. They are bottom dwellers.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of Neolamprologus furcifer in the wild is not explicitly stated in the documents. In an aquarium, they can live about 5 years.
Biotope and Ecology of Neolamprologus furcifer
Neolamprologus furcifer is native to Lake Tanganyika, in Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The distribution within these countries is widespread along the rocky shores of the lake. They live exclusively in Lake Tanganyika.
Natural habitat
Neolamprologus furcifer inhabits rocky coastal areas of Lake Tanganyika, at depths ranging from 2 to 40 meters. The habitat is characterized by dark, shadowy crevices and hollows between large rocks and stones. Little to no underwater vegetation is present. The edges of the lake in this area are rocky and not overgrown with trees. The bottom consists of sand and stones.
Climate
Het Tanganyikameer heeft een tropisch klimaat met stabiele temperaturen. Er vinden geen seizoensgebonden overstromingen of droogtes plaats die de populatie van Neolamprologus furcifer significant beïnvloeden. De watertemperatuur in hun natuurlijke habitat ligt tussen de 25°C en 27°C.
Diet
Diet in the wild
Neolamprologus furcifer is a carnivore that in the wild mainly feeds on macroinvertebrates such as small crustaceans and insect larvae. These are found in the crevices and cavities of their rocky habitat.
Diet in the aquarium
In an aquarium, Neolamprologus furcifer can be fed a varied diet of dry food (flakes, pellets), live food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is advisable to feed different types of food. Overfeeding should be avoided to prevent water pollution. It is better to give several small portions per day rather than one large meal.
The Aquarium
For a pair of Neolamprologus furcifer, an aquarium of at least 400 liters and 150 centimeters in length is recommended. For multiple pairs, a considerably larger aquarium is required, at least 600 liters, to provide sufficient space and hiding places and minimize aggression between the animals. The setup should mimic the natural habitat: a rocky bottom with many crevices and cavities is essential. Use a sandy bottom as substrate, supplemented with a pile of stones to create caves and hiding places. Plants are not necessary.
Water parameters:
The ideal water conditions for Neolamprologus furcifer are a temperature between 25°C and 27°C, a pH of 8-8.6 and a GH of 12-25. Monthly 20-30% of the water should be changed to maintain water quality.
Compatibility with other fish:
Neolamprologus furcifer is a very territorial animal with a strong character. Cohabitation with other territorial species is very risky and can lead to aggression and conflicts. The choice of suitable tank mates should therefore be carefully considered and only in a spacious aquarium with sufficient hiding places. The linked documents do not provide a specific list of suitable tank mates. It is important to remember that even conspecific (same species) individuals have difficulty living together in a confined space.
Breeding Neolamprologus furcifer
Not much is known about the breeding of this species. Much of the reproduction takes place among the rocks.
Males are polygamous and have a harem of five or six females. In the center of the territory, well hidden among the rocks, they deposit the eggs. These are olive green in color and about 1.83 mm long with a diameter of about 1.34 mm. The female takes care of the eggs and newly hatched young fish. The young fish remain in the mother’s territory until about 9 weeks after hatching.
Particularities
Some additional details about Neolamprologus furcifer not previously mentioned in the profile:
- Variation in color and pattern: The papers highlight the variability in color and pattern in Neolamprologus furcifer. The base color can range from gray to beige, loamy brown, copper brown or dark purple, and the presence and intensity of the dark transverse bands on the flanks depend on the individual fish and its mood. There is also variation in the color of the iris (eye). One study indicates the presence of two distinctive forms, one with two horizontal stripes and another without stripes or with faint spots, with different iris colors (yellow versus orange).
- Swimming behavior: The fish exhibit remarkable swimming behavior, often swimming belly up at the bottom of overhanging rocks or head up or down steep rocks. This behavior may be an adaptation to their habitat and hunting strategy.
- Night activity: The large eyes of Neolamprologus furcifer suggest that they may be nocturnal, although they may also be active during the day in shaded areas.
- Parental care: Females care for the eggs and young alone. The young remain in the mother ‘ s territory for about 9 weeks after hatching.
- Diet of the young: The young begin eating small shrimp after about two weeks.
- Territoriality and aggression : The species is very territorial and defends its territory fiercely, especially against other individuals of the same species. Keeping several pairs together requires a very large aquarium with enough hiding places to avoid conflicts.
- Difficulty in aquarium husbandry: The papers describe the species as difficult to keep in an aquarium, especially for novice aquarists. Specific water parameters and careful setup are essential for successful breeding.
- Rarity in the aquarium trade: Neolamprologus furcifer is a rare species in the aquarium trade.
Conclusion
Neolamprologus furcifer is a fascinating but challenging fish species for aquarists. Their specific requirements regarding water parameters, the need for a rocky setup with plenty of hiding places, and their territorial behavior make them less suitable for beginners. The variation in color patterns and their unique swimming behavior, often upside down along rocks, are notable features.
Successful keeping of this species requires thorough research and a willingness to create a suitable environment. A spacious aquarium, accurate water parameters and careful selection of co-inhabitants are essential. Their shyness and nocturnal activity sometimes make observation difficult, but the rewards of successfully keeping these intriguing cichlids are worth it for experienced aquarists.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Mattia Matarrese
AfricanDivingLtd.com – African Diving
Evert van Ammelrooy
Sue – Suephotos.com (original website no longer online)
References
Sven O. Kullander, Michael Norén, Mikael Karlsson and Magnus Karlsson – Description of Neolamprologus timidus, new species, and review of N. furcifer from Lake Tanganyika
Boulenger, G. A. (1898). Report on the collection of fishes made by Mr. J. E. S. Moore in Lake Tanganyika during his expedition, 1895-96. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, 15(1), 1-95.
Brichard, P. (1995). Das Große Buch der Tanganjika Cichliden. Mit allen anderen Fischen des Tanganjikasees . Bede Verlag, Kollnburg.
Satoh, S., Hotta, T., & Kohda, M. (2021). Maternal Care-Providing Cichlid Neolamprologus furcifer Selectively Focuses on High-Threat Carnivorous Intruders, Limiting Attention to Other Threats. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
Satoh, S., Takahashi, T., Tada, S., Tanaka, H., & Kohda, M. (2021). Parental females of a nest-brooding cichlid improve and benefit from the protective value of young masquerading as snails. Animal Behaviour.
Staeck, W., & Linke, H. (1981). Afrikanische Cichliden, Buntbarsche aus Ostafrika. Tetra Verlag.
