Learn More About Fish: All About Lamprologus Brevis

Lamprologus brevis

Lamprologus brevis “Katabe” pictured.

Common Names: Sunspot. Location names are used to identify the different color variants.
Locations collected from: Cape Chaitika and Katete, Zambia and kapampa, Congo, and a dwarf variety of brevis from Karilani Island.
Approximate Size: Males about 2 inches with females just under 1.5 inches.
Food: Will eat flake food, daphnia, and brine shrimp. I never tried pellet foods.
Water Conditions: Likes a pH of 8.0 – 9+ and temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees F.
Breeding Behavior. Egglayer. Likes shells to hide and spawn in. Once they pick the shell they like, they move the substrate (sand in my tanks) up to around the shell partially covering it. My pair allowed the older fry to remain in the tank until they reached .5 inch. A pair can be kept in a 10-gallon tank with the correct water conditions. I never tried more than one pair per tank or other fish in with my breeding pair. Needs the tank to be covered, mine have liked to jump out of their tank.
Tankmates: I have kept adult males in with Enantiopus melanogenys(which the brevis chased around), Chalinochromis brichardi, Paracyprichromis nigripinnis, and a single Neolamprologus pulcher “Daffodil”.

Further Reading