Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Cichlids > Cichlids - Tanganyika Types > Sexfasciatus

Sexfasciatus

Six-Bar Lamprologus Family: Cichlidae

• Puzzles
• Postcards

Neolamprologus sexfasciatus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Frank Schneidewind

   A handsome cichlid, the Sexfasciatus can definitely hold its own in a mixed Tanganyika cichlid tank!  

   The Sexfasciatus is a smaller cichlid that is easy to keep in a smaller tank. Their bold black bars make them easy to see and their ease of breeding is a plus. It is easy to care for as long as mandatory water changes are done (and difficult if they are neglected). They like a sandy to very small sized substrate along with caves made from rocks, highly porous rock works well. They also do fine with plants.

   They can be kept in pairs but not in groups, the Sexfasciatus do not tolerate others of their own kind. They can be kept in a species tank or with other durable species in a good sized aquarium.This fish is very aggressive and needs to be kept with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and attitude. A mixed tank actually helps the female get less of the brunt of the aggression when the male is protecting the fry. Do not house them with other color variations of Sexfasciatus to avoid cross breeding, and thus losing pure strains.

   The Sexfasciatus or Six-Bar Lamprologus are the common names these fish are known by. Other names are implemented as add-ons ('tagged on' to the end the scientific name), and refer to varieties of this fish based on the region where found or a color variation. These include names such as Fulwe, Gold, Kambwimba 'daffodil', Ikola, Kasanga, Mwerazi, Namansi, Nkondwe, Samazi, or Kipili to name a few.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Sexfasciatus or Six-Bar Lamprologus was described by Trewavas and Poll in 1952. These fish are endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa and are found in the southern half of lake. They inhabit areas of sand or sand mixed with rock. Lake Tanganyika is the second to largest lake in the world, thus contributing to a low fluctuation in PH and temperature. The Sexfasciatus live in caves where they also breed and raise their young.

Status:
   This species is listed on the IUCN Red List with the status of 'LC', meaning 'Least Concern'.

Description:
   The Sexfasciatus is an elongated fish with a very pleasing coloration. Depending on location, there are slight differences in their coloration. All the Sexfasciatus have 6 black/brown vertical bars on their bodies. Not to be confused with it very similar relative, the Five-Bar Cichlid Neolamprologus tretocephalus which, as its name implies, has only have 5 bars. It is unknown how long this fish lives.

 Some varieties of this fish, based on the region where found or a color variation are:

• Fulwe: This Sexfasciatus has basically 6 bars over a silver to white background with bluish clear fins. The top 1/2 of the fish, or its back, can have a slightly different color in the yellow/gold family.
• Gold: This Sexfasciatus is one variation that is a very deep gold coloration, including the fins, it also has the 6 bars.
• Kambwimba: This Sexfasciatus has the 6 bars over a silver body with silver fins that can have a very subtle blue cast to them.
• Kasanga: This Sexfasciatus is similar to Kambwimba, except the fins have a definite blue coloring to them.
• Namansi: This Sexfasciatus has a lighter yellow on the back and silver/white on the bottom part of the body with blue tinted fins and the 6 bars.
• Nkondwe: This Sexfasciatus is white with the 6 bars on the body, but with yellow fins that are outlined in blue.
• Samazi: This Sexfasciatus is white with the 6 bars and light blue fins.

   All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have and that is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. Cichlids have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positions and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
   Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense “smells” in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being “sampled” for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to “smell” the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and cichlids are thought to be closely related.

Size - Weight:
   The Sexfasciatus grows to a length of almost 6” (15 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Sexfasciatus are omnivorous that can be fed Cyclops, water fleas, shrimps, artemia or other special food for Lake Tanganyika cichlids. Some resources also point to a more carnivorous diet. Feed 2 to 5 small pinches of food a day in smaller amounts instead of a large quantity once a day. This will keep the water quality higher over a longer time. A one-day-a-week 'fast' can also be beneficial. Of course, all fish benefit from added vitamins and supplements to their foods.
   A minimum 30 gallon tank is suggested. A larger tank, about 4 feet in length, will be needed for a breeding pair as the male can be quite protective of the fry to the point of attacking the female. They do fine in either freshwater or brackish freshwater but need good water movement along with very strong and efficient filtration. Provide a sandy to very small sized substrate, and they need a lot of rocks and cave formations.
  Plants are also preferred by this species and can be arranged in a very pleasing manner. For example; in the foreground try Cryptocoryne species, in the middle ground use Swordplants that are the larger variety, and the very back can have Water Fern. For a different or varied look you can plant on the porous rock with such species as Anubias, Water Fern and Java Fern.
   Do normal water changes of only 10% to 20% a week, or more frequent depending on the nitrite/ammonia levels and stocking numbers. The Lake Tanganyika cichlids cannot handle large water changes very well unless the new water chemistry closely matches the water they are in. This inability to tolerate large water changes is due to Lake Tanganyika being very deep and the water tends to stay stable. They are susceptible to typical fish ailments especially if water is stale, of poor quality, and low oxygenation.       

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 10 - 13 dGH
   Ph: 7.8 to 9.5 (average 8.6)
   Temp: 77 - 82° F (25 - 28° C)

Several things all Lake Tanganyika cichlids need are:

1. Stable temperatures kept within acceptable limits.
2. Lots of oxygen to survive. Lake Tanganyika is a very oxygen rich lake. Bubblers need to be going day and night, even if there are plants.
3. Avoid overfeeding and overstocking.
4. Do a 10-20% water change weekly.
5. Regularly check nitrates (no more than 25 ppm), Ph (less than 7 is not tolerated), total hardness and carbonate hardness.

Social Behaviors:
   The Sexfasciatus can be kept in pairs but not in groups. They do not tolerate others of their own kind. This fish is very aggressive and needs to be kept with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and attitude. A mixed tank actually helps the female get less of the brunt of the aggression when the male is protecting the fry. Do not house them with other color variations of Sexfasciatus to avoid cross breeding, and thus losing pure strains.

Sexual Differences:
   Males are larger with darker fins. Females are fuller and smaller.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Sexfasciatus has been bred in captivity. Getting a breeding pair is accomplished by having a group of young that are the same size and then grow. This can take a while as they don't become sexually mature until at least 18 months. Eventually a pair will form and all of the others will leave the area they defend. Provide a flowerpot and the pair will clean their spawning site until it is spotless.
   Their bars will fade almost to the point of disappearing when the spawning begins. Eggs are deposited on the floor of the site by the female and fertilized by the male. The female fans the eggs for several days and as each fry hatches, she moves them to a different spot. About 200 fry are the average number. The female will actually take food, and spit it back out into smaller pieces for the fry! Meanwhile, the male will frantically defend the area. In about 2 to 3 weeks, the female is done and the young will then stay near the male. He will protect them from other fish, including the female, who he will attack if she gets too close. Because of the male's aggressive behavior, providing a mixed group (this pair with other genus of similar in size and temperment), helps to diffuse attacks on the female. See the description of monogamous cichlids in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Buy Sexfasciatus From LiveAquaria.com

Availability:
   The Sexfasciatus or Six-Bar Lamprologus is available both online and in fish stores, ranging from $5.00 - $25.00 USD. The pricing depends on the color form and the age of the Sexfasciatus. Purchase from a reputable dealer, due to hybridization it takes a trained eye to choose the correct color strain that has not been crossed.

Author: Carrie McBirney

Add your comment here!

Back to Cichlids - Tanganyika Types