Our Guide To Keeping Cylinder Cichlid Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Neolamprologus cylindricus
   • Common name: Cylinder Cichlid
   • Family: Cichlidae
   • Origin: Lake Tanganyika in East Africa
   • Adult length: 10 cm (4 inches)
   • Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Cylinder Cichlids prefer a rocky aquarium setup resembling their natural habitat in Lake Tanganyika. Provide caves and crevices for them to explore and establish territories.
   • Include fine substrate like sand to mimic the lake's bottom and help with their digging behavior.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Maintain alkaline water conditions with a pH range of 7.8 to 9.0.
   • Keep the water temperature between 23 to 28°C (73 to 82°F).

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use a powerful filtration system to maintain water quality, and provide moderate water flow in the tank.

5. Diet:

   • Cylinder Cichlids are carnivorous. Feed them a high-quality cichlid pellet or flake food as a staple, supplemented with occasional live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.

6. Tank mates:

   • They can be kept with other Tanganyikan cichlids that share similar water requirements. However, be cautious about aggression, and monitor tank dynamics to prevent conflicts.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Cylinder Cichlids are territorial and may exhibit aggressive behavior, especially during breeding. Provide adequate hiding spots to minimize aggression, and avoid keeping them with overly aggressive tank mates.
   • They are best kept in pairs or small groups with a proper ratio of females to males.