Neolamprologus hecqui

Common Names:

Hecqui Shelldweller

Synonyms:

Lamprologus hecqui

Family:

Cichlidae

Category:

Cichlids

Distribution:

Africa; From Lake Tanganyika, found around the shores of Zambia, the Republic of Congo, and Burundi.

Main Ecosystem:

Rift Lake; Rift Lake

Temperament:

Aggressive; Territorial and aggressive.

Diet:

Carnivore; Carnivore

Care:

Another Tanganikan shelldweller, this species has requirements similar to its moe popular cousins: sand, shells, and hard, basic water. It requires much more room, owing to its increased aggressiveness and size, and is better equipped than the smaller shellies to hold its own against aggressive Tanganyikan rockdwellers; it is occasionally seen in Tropheus tanks, for example.

pH:

7.6 - 8.6

Temperature:

23°C - 27°C

73°F - 81°F

Hardness:

7 dH - 30 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 8cm (3.1")
Female: 8cm (3.1")

Water Region:

Middle, Bottom; Middle-Bottom

Activity:

Diurnal; Diurnal

Gender:

Very difficult to determine; size, the shape of the face, and of course pairing behavior are the safest bets.

Breeding:

This species is primarily a pair fish although it may live in trios or harems given space. Difficult to sex even as an adult, it is best to buy a group and pull the fish that are driven into the upper corners of the tank.

Variants:

Comments:

This species is often confused with L. meeli and L. boulangeri; whether the three species are in fact two, or even one, is still subject for debate.

Main Colours:

Brown, Grey

Markings:

Mottled

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Flat

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