Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba

A Little More Information...

Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba is a highly sought-after geographical form of the princess cichlid group from Lake Tanganyika. Associated with the locality of Katalamba on the Zambian shore, this population has a slender body, extended fins and a pale colour pattern enhanced by bluish reflections. Like other members of the group, it lives among rocks and displays remarkable social and parental behaviour. Its high rarity in the aquarium trade makes it best suited to aquarists able to provide alkaline water, a stable rocky structure and enough space for territories to be established.

General species description

Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba belongs to the princess cichlid group of Lake Tanganyika, known for its complex family organization. It is a small rocky-habitat cichlid that spends much of its time near shelters, crevices and mineral surfaces. The species is generally peaceful outside breeding periods, but becomes highly territorial around a spawning site. Young fish may remain within the family territory and help supervise the offspring, creating groups made up of several generations. In an aquarium, this social structure is fascinating to observe, but it requires rockwork that allows subordinate individuals to retreat. The Katalamba form is rare in the aquarium hobby and should be kept separately from other related populations to preserve its geographical identity.

Geographical origin and biotope

Country of reference: Zambia. Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba comes from Lake Tanganyika, in the Katalamba area on the Zambian shore. The biotope consists of a typical rocky lakeshore with clear, highly mineralized and alkaline water. The bottom is dominated by boulders, slabs and narrow spaces that provide shelter and spawning sites. Aquatic vegetation is usually sparse in rocky areas; the habitat is shaped mainly by bare rock and mineral deposits. In the aquarium, recreate this combination with stable water at a high pH of about 8.0 to 9.2, strong oxygenation and rockwork placed securely on the bottom. Sudden changes in water chemistry can interfere with acclimation.

Precise location and local name

The reference locality is Katalamba on the Zambian shore of Lake Tanganyika. Katalamba is used as a locality name and as a trade name for this geographical strain. It is not a separate vernacular name established for the species as a whole. In the aquarium trade, the locality designation distinguishes Katalamba fish from other forms in the princess group. To preserve this identity, avoid mixing them with other populations of Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba or with closely related forms that could hybridize. Wild specimens are especially valuable for responsible breeding programs because they help maintain an identifiable line. Since this population is very rare, its origin should be carefully recorded in breeding records.

Appearance and physical characteristics

Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba has an elongated, laterally compressed body, a relatively fine head and a mouth adapted for capturing small prey. The base colour ranges from silvery beige to pale brown, often with bluish reflections on the head and fins. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins end in fine extensions that are especially noticeable in adults. The paired fins may also show bluish edging. Adult males generally become larger and more robust, while females remain smaller; however, sexing is not always reliable in young fish. Maximum size is approximately 10 cm for the largest males, with variation depending on sex, diet and rearing conditions. The elegant body shape and pointed fins are the main visual features of this form.

General diet

In the wild, Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba searches for small prey and organisms associated with rocky surfaces. Its diet includes tiny crustaceans, insect larvae and other invertebrates, along with animal particles captured in the water column. In the aquarium, it accepts quality dry foods, but its menu should be varied with small frozen or live foods, such as brine shrimp, mysis and mosquito larvae. Offer small portions once or twice daily rather than one oversized meal. Juveniles benefit from fine foods provided more frequently. A varied diet supports growth, colour and breeding without overloading alkaline water, where nitrogenous waste should remain very low.

Essential data

• Name of the river of origin: Lake Tanganyika; a lacustrine habitat, so no river of origin applies.
• Local name used: Katalamba, a locality and aquarium-strain name.
• Origin of the scientific name: A zoological classification name assigned within the genus Neolamprologus.
• Complete-name etymology: Neolamprologus means new Lamprologus; pulcher means beautiful or elegant; Katalamba refers to the collection locality.
• Common or vernacular names: Princess cichlid, fairy cichlid.
• Family: Cichlidae
• Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
• Name pronunciation: nee-oh-lam-pro-lo-gus pul-ker ka-ta-lam-ba
• Discovery: Ethelwynn Trewavas and Max Poll, 1952.
• Maximum adult size: About 10 cm.
• Water temperature and pH: 24 to 28 °C; pH 8.0 to 9.2.
• Appearance of the watercourse and surrounding vegetation: Clear, rocky and mineral-rich lakeshore; sparse aquatic vegetation in rocky sections.
• Typical tankmates: Neolamprologus brichardi, Neolamprologus cylindricus, Neolamprologus leleupi, Altolamprologus calvus, Cyprichromis leptosoma, Synodontis petricola.
• Temperament and behaviour: Social, territorial while breeding, protective of young and capable of forming family groups.
• Water depth: Rocky littoral zone, generally shallow to intermediate depth.
• Sexual dimorphism: Male usually larger and heavier; female smaller; young fish can be difficult to sex.
• Bottom structure and flow: Boulders and slabs with cracks and cavities; generally calm to lightly moving water.

In your aquarium

To succeed with Neolamprologus pulcher Katalamba, use a mature aquarium with hard, alkaline water and rockwork that creates several hiding places. A group may establish a family hierarchy, but each fish must be able to move away from dominant breeders. Efficient filtration, strong oxygenation and regular water changes are essential. Because this is a very rare, wild-collected strain, avoid mixing it with other populations and choose compatible tankmates. Careful maintenance helps preserve both the health of the fish and its geographical identity. This strain is available exclusively from Ton.Fish in Canada.