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Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) — Cichlidae

Mondabu lamprologus

Neolamprologus mondabu
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Neolamprologus mondabu is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species has a streamlined, silvery-grey body with fine markings and reaches about 11 cm. It is usually solitary, although many individuals may be seen at once, and inhabits rocky biotopes along the shore. It feeds partly on the eggs of the Tanganyika killifish and on small invertebrates. Like other Neolamprologus species it is a substrate spawner that lays and guards its eggs in a cavity. Owing to its easy care and interesting behaviour the species is popular with cichlid keepers and of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mondabu lamprologus?

The Mondabu lamprologus has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Eats killifish eggs among other things; substrate brooder of rocky shores.

Where does the Mondabu lamprologus live?

The Mondabu lamprologus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

How big does the Mondabu lamprologus get?

The Mondabu lamprologus grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Mondabu lamprologus dangerous to humans?

No, the Mondabu 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 Mondabu lamprologus edible?

The Mondabu lamprologus is rarely eaten.

More photos

Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre-Louis Stenger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Hubert Szczygieł, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre-Louis Stenger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mondabu lamprologus (Neolamprologus mondabu) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Mondabu lamprologus sourced
Scientific name
Neolamprologus mondabu
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fish eggs and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Eats killifish eggs among other things; substrate brooder of rocky shores. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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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