HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsLamprologus callipterus Lamprologus callipterus Scientific name: Lamprologus callipterus Boulenger, 1906 Lamprologus callipterus is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 12.5 cm (4.9 in). In the aquarium it needs water at 23–28°C (73–82°F) and a pH of 8.6. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Lamprologus callipterus care at a glanceCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size12.5 cm (4.9 in)Temperature23–28°C (73–82°F)pH8.6Hardness10–15 dGH (178–268 ppm)DietCarnivore BiologyConsidered a poor aquarium fish. Is a scavenger-predator with a voracious appetite. This perennial roamer remains still only when it is getting ready to attack a prey. It moves about in small packs, never quietly but at a frantic pace, following the leader in its moves, stopping and digging in the sand when it does so or grazing on the biocover. Extreme size dimorphism present among males, with both sizes displaying different behavior and reproductive performance.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLamprologus callipterusFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length12.4EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.5; dH range: 10 - 15 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: endemic to Lake Tanganyika.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More african cichlidsMasked julieJulidochromis transcriptusJulidochromis marlieriJulidochromis dickfeldiHemichromis lifaliliLamprologus ocellatusHumphead cichlidCyphotilapia frontosaSee all african cichlids SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026