Above: In this picture a young premium quality Neolamprologus Yellow Leleupi Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These fish have bright yellow bodies, when they mature, but are somewhat less brightly colored, when they're young.

Origin: The ancestors of these Yellow Leleupi Cichlids lived in Lake Tanganyika.

But now they live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, they are able to grow to be about 5" long, including their tails, which is a nice size for aquariums 80-gallons and greater.

Behaviors: Leleupi Cichlids are usually rather mild tempered fish, but can be more aggressive when spawning.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, Malawi Peacocks, mild tempered Mbunas like the Lemon Yellow Mbuna, and Synodontis Catfish, but Synodontis will usually eat baby fish.

Click here for more about Synodontis Catfish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Leleupi Cichlids live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for these Cichlids to eat.

It's best to feed them small pellets when they're small, then gradually increase the size of the pellets, as they grow bigger.

In their natural habitat Leleupi eat small invertebrates, and so you might want to feed them some frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Leleupi will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water.

Each Cichlid will need at least 5-gallons of water, and they live best in an aquarium with some other compatible Cichlids of about the same size.

Decor: Leleupi like caves, because they're cave spawners, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but most aquariums with Leleupi Yellow Cichlids do not have live plants.

They like medium size gravel about the size of rice mixed with a few aquarium-safe rocks.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for at least two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for mature Leleupi.

Better is a 100, 120, or 150-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Leleupi can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: Males usually display bolder and brighter colors as they mature.

Females usually have duller colors, and somewhat smaller bodies.

Breeding: Leleupis are Cave Spawners.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: Leleupi has been quite a popular aquarium fish.

Names: The scientific name for Leleupi is Neolamprologus leleupi.

Variations: There's also a Black variation and Silvery variation, but both are rarely seen in aquariums.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Leleupi, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.