Lamp cylindricus Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Lamp cylindricus, also known as the cylindricus cichlid, is a striking Lake Tanganyika rock-dweller with a long, cylindrical body and a pointed head. Its pale blue-grey to silver base colour is marked with several bold, dark vertical bars, while the fins often carry a subtle blue sheen that becomes more noticeable when the fish is excited or displaying.

This species has the robust, purposeful appearance typical of many Tanganyikan lamprologine cichlids. Adults are active and alert, spending much of their time inspecting rock faces, crevices and the boundaries of their territory rather than swimming continuously in open water.

In the wild, Lamp cylindricus live among the dense rock formations of Lake Tanganyika, where they use cracks and cavities for shelter and breeding. The clear, mineral-rich lake water and complex shoreline provide both hiding places and sharply defined territories.

They are intelligent, strongly territorial fish with an assertive temperament. Their behaviour is most interesting when they establish a territory or pair bond, but their aggression can be directed toward similarly shaped or closely related cichlids, especially in confined surroundings.

Lamp cylindricus are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. They inhabit rocky coastal areas of the lake, particularly around the Tanzanian, Zambian and Democratic Republic of the Congo shorelines.

A pair should have at least 200 litres, with a footprint of about 120 cm by 40 cm; a larger aquarium is preferable for multiple territories or tankmates. Build a stable arrangement of limestone or other aquarium-safe rockwork with numerous caves, vertical crevices and clearly separated retreats. Use a fine sandy substrate or smooth, small-grained material, leave some open swimming space, and secure all rocks directly on the tank base before adding substrate. Strong filtration, good oxygenation and consistently alkaline, mineral-rich water are important for this Lake Tanganyika species.

Males can reach about 13 cm (5.1 in), while females are usually smaller at approximately 10–11 cm (3.9–4.3 in).

In nature, Lamp cylindricus feed mainly on small aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans and other animal foods picked from rocks and crevices. Offer a varied carnivorous diet of quality cichlid pellets or granules supplemented with frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, daphnia and other suitably sized foods. Feed modest portions once or twice daily, and avoid relying heavily on fatty mammalian foods or large amounts of vegetable-based flake.

Lamp cylindricus are best kept with robust Lake Tanganyika cichlids of comparable size and temperament, such as Julidochromis, Altolamprologus and carefully selected larger shell-dwelling Neolamprologus. Tankmates must have their own territories and should not compete for the same caves or rock shelters. Avoid peaceful community fish, delicate species, long-finned fish and similarly shaped lamprologines that may be treated as rivals. Keeping a single specimen or an established pair is generally safer than maintaining several unrelated adults in a modest aquarium.

Lamp cylindricus are cave-spawning cichlids that usually breed as a bonded pair. Provide a secluded cave or narrow rock crevice, where the female can attach a cluster of eggs to the roof or wall while the male fertilises them. The female commonly guards the eggs and fry closely, with both parents defending the territory. Eggs generally hatch in around three days, and the free-swimming fry can be offered finely powdered foods or newly hatched brine shrimp once they are ready to feed.

Sexual dimorphism is subtle, especially in juveniles. Mature males are generally larger and more heavily built, whereas females tend to remain shorter and rounder-bodied; body shape and behaviour are more reliable clues than colour alone.