How to Identify and Care for Lemon Cichlid Fish

The Lemon Cichlid is also called Lemon Yellow Cichlid or Leleupi, "Neolamprologus leleupi," It is a fresh water fish that belongs to the family "cichlidae," and is native to southern Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The lemon cichlid is has an engaging personality as an aquarium fish, and swims at the bottom to mid-level zones of the tank water.

Things You'll Need

  • 55-gallon fish tank Freshwater test kit Aquarium decorations Heater Filter Pump Sandy substrate Two or more lemon cichlids
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Instructions

  1. Identification

    • 1

      Identify the lemon cichlid first by its coloring, which is primarily deep, yellow. The coloring of the different strains ranges from lemon-yellow to shades of orange and deep brown.

    • 2

      Note that it has a slender body that grows to approximately four to four and a half inches in length (about 10 cm).

    • 3

      Look out for a thin, semi-circular blue line under each eye.

    Ideal Tank Conditions

    • 4

      Purchase a 55-gallon or larger aquarium tank for Lemon Cichlids. Clean the tank (See Resources below) and then fill it with room temperature water. Let it sit 24 hours before putting in the Lemon Cichlids.

    • 5

      Install your filter and heater in the aquarium. Set the heater at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).

    • 6

      Use the freshwater test kit to maintain water conditions at a pH range of 7.5 to 8.5 and dGH range of 12.0 to 15.0.

    • 7

      Spread your gravel in the tank. Since they need hard, alkaline tank water, a coral-based or dolomite gravel substrate is the best choice.

    • 8

      Create a rocky tank habitat to mimic their natural habitat. Rockwork that forms caves, crevices and other hiding places is a good choice. Place any additional aquarium accessories as desired.

    • 9

      Acclimate your Lemon Cichlids to their new home in the aquarium using either the drip method or float method (see Resources below).

    • 10

      Provide your Lemon Cichlids with some company. They are compatible with fellow Lemon Cichlids and other Lake Tanganyikan cichlids.

    Proper Diet

    • 11

      Feed your Lemon Cichlids with live, freeze-dried or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworm or other meaty fish food. The Lemon Cichlids may eat feeder guppies when they get older.

    • 12

      Purchase high-protein cichlid pellets or flakes to feed them with as well. Ideally, purchase fish food that contains beta-carotene. Color-enhancing foods are also beneficial.

    • 13

      Provide a combination of these foods for a well-rounded diet.

    • 14

      Feed your Lemon Cichlids only once or twice a day. Each time, only provide an amount of food that the fish can eat in five minutes. (See Resources below for more information).