Neolamprologus signatus

[Phyllonemus]

According to my information lives Neolamprologus signatus only in the Zambian area of lake Tanganyika.
What ik like to know is this correct, or is this specie also distributed in other regions of the lake ?

[Mark Smith]

Lamprologus signatus is found from around Cape Chaitika northwards into Congo up to at least the area of Moba. Also, it is important to note that Lamprologus laparogramma essentially replaces L. signatus in Zambia from just north of Gombe and up the eastern coastline to around Kasanga. There is a steep underwater slope between Cape Chaitika and Gombe that probably separates both species apart geographically.

Of course, this is information so far published, and further explorations of these regions of the lake may extend both species' distributions.

[Phyllonemus]

Ok thanks Mark.
I have another question.
What kind of temperament do they have ?
Are they mild tempered or agressive like the occelatus group ?

The reason for asking is that I want to plan a southern shellie or cave brouder with enough temperament to hold a trio of juvenile Neolamprologus prochilus.

I' have also Lamprologus ornatipinnis or Lamprologus caudopunctatus or a southern occelatus/speciosus in mind to combine with the prochilus.

[Mark Smith]

I have not personally kept this species, but from friends who have, they tell me it is quite aggressive, particularly for its small size. The L. signatus may bully the juvenile N. prochilus, particularly if the aquarium is not big enough, or not enough hiding places are provided for the N. prochilus, since in my experience, N. prochilus is not an overly aggressive species.

[Phyllonemus]

Mark, the prochilus isn' t a very agressive specie indeed, but it can be dominant sometimes.

I like to combine them with signatus or with Lamprologus ornatipinnis, depending on availability.
My LFS is saying that signatus can be hold in small groups.

Is it true that they can be hold in small groups f.i. 1m/3f or 2m/4f ?

[Mark Smith]

Not really sure, but if you do, try to provide a variety of places for any sub-dominant individuals to retreat to, should any of them become overly bullied. Other species, such as your N. prochilus, would help to spread out some aggression should it become necessary.

[Phyllonemus]

Because signatus is'nt available anymore I will buy Lamprologus sp. ornatipinnis "Zambia" .

How agressive are thes guys ?

[Mark Smith]

The closest species I maintained and spawned that would be considered closely related to exLamprologus sp. "Ornatipinnis Zambia", was exL. sp. "Ornatipinnis Kigoma". I kept a pair in a 30 gallon aquarium with a single hiding place for the male and the female. They got along well and not too aggressive. I did not, however, maintain them with any other small to medium sized species at the time.

An odd observation. I did maintain an extra female exL. sp. "Ornatipinnis Kigoma" in a 150 gallon aquarium some years ago, with 7 adult sized Rhampochromis species that were approx. 7 inches. They completely ignored the little female, and on ocasson, the female exL. sp. "Ornatipinnis Kigoma" would flare in front of the Rhamphochromis, and even glance off of their faces. The Rhamphochromis would barely move away, or show any notice from such a curious encounter.