Kendall's Cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Lake Tanganyika (Central-southern sector, e.g. Nkamba Bay). Stations in deep rocky coasts (up to 40 meters / 130 feet), swimming parallel to the fall of the boulders in waters almost devoid of strong sunlight.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Kendall's Cichlid / Nkambae (Lepidiolamprologus kendalli). Hydrodynamic torpedo-shaped body, huge mouth armed with visible pointed conical canines. The morphology is that of the perfect ambush killer among the crevices.

Social Behavior: Dominant piscivore and fierce loner. Even the formation of a pair does not guarantee peaceful coexistence, they tend to hunt each other down if they are not in the reproductive phase.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Fascinating contrast: dark body crossed by 3 horizontal silver lines crossed in a checkerboard pattern with rusty/black transverse bars. Almost white belly. The male is generally stockier and longer, but certain differentiation occurs only with venting.

Aquarium Setup: Requires at least 150 cm (60 inches) of tank. Build two gigantic and separate rocky towers at the ends of the tank, so the female can escape the wrath of the male or vice versa. Shell sand necessary to stabilize pH and rocks.

Diet and Feeding: Extreme piscivore (Predator). In nature it swallows young Cyprichromis or small Mbunas whole. Feed with homemade pastes based on fish fillet, whole krill, bloodworms and large live baits. Avoid poor dry food.

Water Quality: Strict Tanganyika parameters: massive total hardness, pH between 8 and 9, controlled temperature (prefers the cool waters of the deep lake, max 26-27°C / 79-81°F). Extremely intolerant to pH drops.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Will devour any tank mate or shell-dweller (e.g. multifasciatus) that can fit in its mouth. Can only be paired with very robust fish of larger size (Frontosa, large Altolamprologus or Tropheus) that ignore the base rocks.

Aquarium Reproduction: Very deep cave spawners. Once a temporary alliance is formed, they lay on an impregnable blind wall (even 200+ eggs). Both take over the protection of the offspring literally killing trespassers.

Risks and Diseases: Destructive aggressiveness. Attempts to form a pair by forcing two unsexed adult specimens in aquariums under one and a half meters infallibly result in the dismemberment by biting of the weakest within a week.