tanganyika

Neolamprologus Leleupi Uvira F1

Neolamprologus leleupi “Uvira”, one of the most iconic and vividly colored Lake Tanganyika cave-dwelling cichlids.

🐟 Neolamprologus leleupi “Uvira” — Species Description

(Common name: Lemon Cichlid)

📏 Size

Adult size: 9–11 cm (3.5–4.5 inches)

Slender, elongated body

Males and females look similar

Females are often slightly more aggressive, especially when breeding

🌍 Occurrence (Natural Origin)

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

Uvira locality:

Northern part of the lake (DR Congo shoreline)

Habitat:

Rocky shorelines

Deep crevices, caves, and vertical rock faces

Shallow to mid-depth zones

“Uvira” is a true geographic locality, not a selectively bred strain.

🎨 Appearance

Body color:

Intense yellow to orange-yellow

Eyes:

Bright blue to blue-green

Fins:

Yellow with subtle blue highlights

Color intensity improves with:

Proper diet

Low stress

Stable water chemistry

🍽️ Diet (Preferred Food)

In the wild:

Carnivorous

Feeds on:

Insect larvae

Small crustaceans

Invertebrates picked from rocks

In the aquarium:

High-quality carnivore pellets

Frozen foods:

Mysis shrimp

Brine shrimp

Cyclops

Feed modest portions — prone to bloat if overfed

⚠️ Avoid high-fat foods and excessive plant-based diets.

🧠 Behavior & Temperament

Highly territorial

Aggressive toward:

Conspecifics

Similar-shaped cave dwellers

Peaceful with open-water fish

Best kept:

Singly, or

As a bonded pair in larger tanks

Extremely defensive during breeding

🏞️ Preferred Aquarium Conditions

Tank size:

Single or pair: 150–200 L (40–55 gallons) minimum

pH: 8.0–9.0

Hardness: Hard to very hard

Temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)

Substrate: Sand

Décor: Rock piles with deep caves and narrow entrances

Moderate lighting preferred

🧾 Quick Summary
Feature Details
Scientific Name Neolamprologus leleupi
Locality Uvira
Lake Tanganyika
Adult Size 9–11 cm (3.5–4.5 in)
Diet Carnivorous
Temperament Aggressive / territorial
Breeding Cave spawner

⚠️ Compatibility Notes

Avoid mixing with:

Other cave-spawning Tanganyika species (Julidochromis, Altolamprologus) in small tanks

Small shell dwellers

Possible tankmates (large tanks only):

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Cyprichromis

Calm open-water Tanganyika species

🧠 Expert Tip

Neolamprologus leleupi looks peaceful — until it claims a cave. Once established, it becomes bold, confident, and fiercely territorial, making aquascape planning critical.