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Physical description: An elongated fish with a characteristic "lyretail."
The tips of the caudal fin are exceptionally
long.
The body color is a creamy-white to yellow.
Faint yellow, dotted lines runs the length of
the body.
The fins have violet-blue tips.
The eye develops a bright blue iris when good water maintenance is
provided.
At the base of the pectoral fin is a yellow splotch.
The eye has a bright yellow circle around
it and an iridescent, violet crescent is located just below that.
The gill behind the eye and its markings
is a short, dark transverse marking, followed by an iridescent violet line, and followed by another dark marking.
One
the second dark marking is a small bright blue spot.
Just beyond these markings is a light blue areas that fades as it nears
the middle part of the body.
The dorsal fin may have a yellow edge.
Similar species: Brichardi (N.
brichardi)
Habitat: Eastern Africa; planted areas of Lake Tanganyika.
Tank Habitat : bottom, middle
Aquarium: 30" (75 cm) tank with a volume of 20-25 gallons (75-98 L).
This species differs from N. brichardi
by living in planted areas.
Thus, the tank should be heavily planted with robust plants that can tolerate harder water.
The
lighting should be dimmed by a cover of floating plants.
The substrate should be fine gravel with coral
sand.
Rock structures, including caves, should be constructed in the back of the tank.
Leave some open swimming areas.
Water chemistry: pH 7.2-8.5 (7.7), 8-25 dH (12), 75-81°F (24-27°C).
Social behavior: A timid, peaceful fish that can be combined with other Lake Tanganyika species.
Follow
the guidelines for N. brichardi
.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, insect larvae, aquatic insects; flakes; pellets.
Sexual differences: The males are smaller and more colorful.
Breeding techniques: Use a species tank with coarse gravel.
The tank should be set-up as described
in the "Tank" set-up.
Use water with a pH from 7.5-8.0, a water hardness from 10-15 dH, and a temperature from
79-84 F (26-29 C).
As many as 150 eggs are laid.
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding is moderately difficult.
Remarks: This fish was thught to be
a color morph or sub-species of N. brichardi, though now it is considered a distinct species.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This shy fish's diet should include live foods.
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