From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Compressiceps Cichlid
Altolamprologus calvus
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 7.5 – 9
- Min. tank size
- 200 L
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Diet
- carnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Altolamprologus calvus |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Origin: | Africa (Lake Tanganyika, East African Rift) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | carnivore |
| Max Size: | 13.80 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | 2+ together |
| Varieties: | Multiple colour morphs exist and are traded under their collection localities: black calvus from Congo, white calvus from Chaitika, yellow calvus from Chituta, and others including the "inkfin" and various regional forms. They should not be interbred. Crossed fish lose the characteristics that make the morphs worth keeping, and specialist breeders maintain them separately. Tank-bred specimens are hardier than wild imports but remain sensitive to water chemistry changes. The genus contains one other commonly kept species: Altolamprologus compressiceps, which shares the flattened body but has a steeper head profile, a deeper body and different scale patterning. The two are frequently confused, and the common name "compressiceps" attaches to both — which is why this fish is usually called the calvus in the hobby. Related Tanganyikan predators include the various Neolamprologus and the shell-dwelling Lamprologus species, all of which suit the same tank. |
| Lifespan: | 8-10 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:200 L
- Substrate:Aragonite/coral sand; piles of rock with crevices, plus empty shells
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe (few plants in Rift setups)
- Filtration:High (hard alkaline water; strong filtration)
Compressiceps Cichlid (Altolamprologus calvus) is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is native to Africa (Lake Tanganyika, East African Rift). The calvus is built like a knife. Its body is so laterally compressed that from head-on it is almost invisible, and that shape is a hunting adaptation: it slips sideways into rock crevices to take shrimp and fry that other predators cannot reach. It reaches 138 mm standard length and comes from Lake Tanganyika, where it needs hard, alkaline water at pH 7.5 to 9.0 and 8 to 20 dGH. It is a slow, deliberate fish that watches before it moves, and it is territorial without being aggressive toward anything too large to eat. It is also shy, and mixing it with boisterous Malawi mbuna is the standard mistake — a calvus in that company simply hides. Several colour morphs exist and should not be interbred.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Groups of 2+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Compressiceps Cichlid
Matched on family, then category, then water type