SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lamprologus lelupi longior

COMMON NAME: Lemon Cichlid, lelupi

ORIGIN: Africa

FAMILY: Cichlidae

SPECIES TYPE: African Cichlid

MAXIMUM SIZE: 4 inches, males are usually larger.males also have elongated pelvic, dorsal and anal fins.

LIFE SPAN: 9 years.

HABITAT/ENDEMIC: Lake Tanganyika, Africa (endemic) most are caught between Kabogo point and Kibwe bay.

DIET: Longior prefer to eat live foods(such as insect larvae,crustaceans,and aquatic insects) but it can be trained to accept frozen food,shrimp and flake.

TEMP: Longior like to be kept in 75-79 degree water temp. best results for breeding between 77-84 degrees f.

PH: Medium hard - hard 10-20 dgh (120-200ppm) and slightly alkaline(pH 7.5-8.5) water.

TEMPERAMENT: Mild aggression (can become aggressive during breeding)

TANK SIZE: 29 gallon minimum or 31 inches of swimming area.

TANK REGION: Middle to bottom of tank. (should have stone structures and many caves, shelters and niches and sand substrate).

TANK MATES: Can be kept with a wide range of peaceful fish from Lake Tanganyika.

FILTRATION AND SETUP: Needs lots of oxygen(air stone or wand should be used), also a good HOB filter or mechanical filter. Heater should also be used to keep temps constant.

COLORATION: There are a few different colors ranging from reddish to orange to yellow or lemon colors.

BREEDING: Temps should be between 77-86. They spawn on cave ceilings usually.they lay up to 200 eggs.the female guards the spawn while the male secures and defends the territory. The larva are free from their egg shells after 3 days by the female and put in a pit by the breeding cave (made before spawning). After another 6 days the fry are free swimming and can be feed foods such as cyclops and brine shrimp.