Calvus
Altolamprologus calvus
14 cm
Adult size
300 L
Minimum volume
2
Minimum group
8 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Altolamprologus
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- pair
In the wild
Overview
Its genus name refers to its very high back profile, and calvus (“bald”) to a scaleless patch between the eyes. Its extremely flattened body lets it slip into rock crevices to hunt eggs, fry and small fish there, and its thick scales protect it.
- Scientific name
- Altolamprologus calvus (Poll, 1978)
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Near threatened (NT)
Natural habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika (mainly its southwestern part)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives only in the rocky areas of the shores and islands of Lake Tanganyika, where it patrols a few dozen centimetres from the rocks.
Behaviour
Territorial but peaceful towards fish too large for its mouth, it is rather shy: keep it with calm Tanganyikans (Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis, Synodontis) and never with mbuna. In pairs or colonies. It prefers live or frozen prey and often refuses dry food.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth