Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: Regalblue on April 19, 2013, 07:57:30 PM

Title: Lepidiolamprologus elongatus 
Post by: Regalblue on April 19, 2013, 07:57:30 PM

I'm thinking about taking these on.

Does anybody have any personal experience they can share?

Title: Re: Lepidiolamprologus elongatus 
Post by: GrizzlysDad on April 21, 2013, 08:39:32 AM

I have kept several of the Lepidiolamprologus species: kendalli, nkambae, hecqui, cunningtoni, and attenuatus, with the longest term keeping of the nkambae species.
If the L. elongatus lean towards L. kendalli and L. nakambae in their behavior they will be very aggressive to conspecifics.
Probably best to get a group of youngsters and let them pick their mate as they grow. Be ready to get the fish that are pinned in the top corner out of the tank...they have been asked to leave  ;D
IMHO, a 6' tank is best for adults but you might get lucky keeping them in a 48"x18" footprint.
If buying them small, be sure they are the right fish because elongatus, kendalli, and nkambae look nearly identical as juvies.

Title: Re: Lepidiolamprologus elongatus 
Post by: Regalblue on April 21, 2013, 09:07:25 AM

Thanks Tony,  as you know I'm used to keeping the aggressive & territorial "killers".

I guess that's why this species appeals to me. ;)

Title: Re: Lepidiolamprologus elongatus 
Post by: four_by_ken on April 22, 2013, 09:05:04 AM

I missed this post.

I have what I think is a Lepidiolamprologus hecqui Isanga.  I have a picture or two on here and a couple posts too.

I dont have that much knowledge on them... but the one I have rules his shell.  No one goes near it.  We originally had it in the peacock tank but moved it because we were afraid it would eat the smaller fish that came in.

Well, it fits in perfect in the mbuna/mixed tank.  In fact it is the first fish that "introduces himself" to new fish in the tank.

Very cool fish, one of my favorites.  But, I only have one.

Has cool little teeth you can see.

Title: Re: Lepidiolamprologus elongatus 
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on April 22, 2013, 10:52:55 AM

Quote from: GrizzlysDad on April 21, 2013, 08:39:32 AM

I have kept several of the Lepidiolamprologus species: kendalli, nkambae, hecqui, cunningtoni, and attenuatus, with the longest term keeping of the nkambae species.
If the L. elongatus lean towards L. kendalli and L. nakambae in their behavior they will be very aggressive to conspecifics.
Probably best to get a group of youngsters and let them pick their mate as they grow. Be ready to get the fish that are pinned in the top corner out of the tank...they have been asked to leave  ;D
IMHO, a 6' tank is best for adults but you might get lucky keeping them in a 48"x18" footprint.
If buying them small, be sure they are the right fish because elongatus, kendalli, and nkambae look nearly identical as juvies.

I concur with Tony.  Also, I think some of the larger Lepi species like kendalli are pack hunters in nature, mostly preying on shell-dwellers and other small fish.  Cool fish.