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Cylindrical lamprologus (Neolamprologus cylindricus) — Cichlidae

Cylindrical lamprologus

Neolamprologus cylindricus
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cylindrical lamprologus (Neolamprologus cylindricus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Tanganyika (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The cylindrical lamprologus is a small cichlid found only in Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, almost cylindrical body with striking dark cross-bars on a paler ground. It lives among rocks along the shore and shelters in crevices and empty snail shells, where it lays its eggs. As a territorial bottom fish it feeds on small invertebrates. The species is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cylindrical lamprologus?

The Cylindrical lamprologus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Cylindrical body with dark vertical bars; breeds in snail shells and rock crevices

Where does the Cylindrical lamprologus live?

The Cylindrical lamprologus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Tanganyika (endemic)

How big does the Cylindrical lamprologus get?

The Cylindrical lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Cylindrical lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Cylindrical lamprologus is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cylindrical lamprologus edible?

The Cylindrical lamprologus is not usually eaten.

More photos

Cylindrical lamprologus (Neolamprologus cylindricus) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — JBenoit (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cylindrical lamprologus (Neolamprologus cylindricus) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Guérin Nicolas (messages) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cylindrical lamprologus (Neolamprologus cylindricus) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) saraalien1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cylindrical lamprologus verified
Scientific name
Neolamprologus cylindricus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Tanganyika (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Rock-dwelling lake cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Cylindrical body with dark vertical bars; breeds in snail shells and rock crevices sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Neolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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