Neolamprologus Leleupi - NZ Breed

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Neolamprologus leleupi

Appearance
Neolamprologus leleupi comes in a range of stunning colors depending on its origin. These include bright yellow, orange, brown/black, or silver beige. The Bulu Point variant is easily recognizable by its distinctive dark "mustache." Dark-colored variants often have a yellow base that is masked by darker pigmentation. To maintain the vibrant yellow coloration, it’s best to house this species in an aquarium with a light substrate and feed them a color-enhancing diet. Males can grow up to 12 cm, while females are slightly smaller.

Synonyms
This species is known by several scientific names, including Lamprologus leleupi, Lamprologus leleupi leleupi, Lamprologus leleupi melas, Neolamprologus leleupi leleupi, and Neolamprologus leleupi melas.

Origin
Neolamprologus leleupi is native to the northwestern region of Lake Tanganyika. They inhabit depths ranging from 3 to 40 meters, depending on the local environment and the presence of other species.

Diet
In their natural habitat, Neolamprologus leleupi are predators that feed on small animals, fish eggs, and insects found on rocks. In the aquarium, they are not picky eaters and will readily accept a variety of foods. Offer them a balanced diet that includes flake food, cichlid pellets, Daphnia, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, cyclops, and mosquito larvae. Foods rich in carotene, such as mysis, cyclops, and brine shrimp, are particularly effective at enhancing their colors.

Temperament
Neolamprologus leleupi, like most Tanganyikan cichlids, have a bold and assertive temperament. They can hold their own against larger fish and usually get along well with other species in a Tanganyikan setup.

Aquarium Setup
To create a suitable environment, furnish the aquarium with plenty of rocks, as Neolamprologus leleupi establish territories in crevices and gaps. Use light-colored sand as a substrate to help maintain their vibrant coloration. This setup mimics their natural habitat and supports their territorial behavior.

Breeding
Neolamprologus leleupi are cave spawners, and their breeding behavior is fascinating. The female lays 50 to 250 eggs on the ceiling of a dark cave, with most clutches containing around 100 eggs. The eggs are white in color, which is normal and not a sign of mold. The female guards the eggs, while the male defends the surrounding territory.

The eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days, and the larvae remain at the bottom of the cave. After about a week, the fry begin to swim freely. Both parents share the responsibility of caring for the young. The fry typically stay with their parents until they are nearly fully grown, at which point they should be removed to avoid competition with the adults. Interestingly, breeding pairs tend to have a stronger bond and reduced aggression when some of their young remain with them.

Feed the fry with finely crushed flakes or newly hatched brine shrimp to ensure healthy growth.