HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsLamprologus ocellatus Lamprologus ocellatus Scientific name: Lamprologus ocellatus Steindachner, 1909 Lamprologus ocellatus is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 5 cm (2 in). In the aquarium it needs a tank of at least 40 L (11 US gal), water at 25–26°C (77–79°F) and a pH of 8.0–9.0. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Lamprologus ocellatus care at a glanceCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size5 cm (2 in)Minimum tank40 L (11 US gal)Temperature25–26°C (77–79°F)pH8.0–9.0Hardness9–19 dGH (161–339 ppm)DietCarnivore BiologyA dwarf cichlid which lives in Neothauma shells or at least breeds in them. Has been found in small schools and often mixed with L. brevis, with which perhaps the species competes for possession of the shell piles. Is a microfeeder on invertebrates. Aquarium keeping: needs empty shells; minimum aquarium size 60 cm.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLamprologus ocellatusFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.8EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 8.0 - 9.0; dH range: 9 - 19 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 cichlidsLamprologus callipterusMasked julieJulidochromis transcriptusJulidochromis marlieriJulidochromis dickfeldiHemichromis lifaliliNeolamprologus brevisSee 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