Comments: This is one of the most colorful and beautiful of all the Neolamprologus species in Lake Tanganyika.

The ones we have now are Wild from the Southern End of Lake Tanganyika, which is rarely collected, and they are much prettier with more yellow than the one in the picture above.

Origin: The ancestors of these Daffodil Cichlids lived in Lake Tanganyika. But now they live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, they can grow to be about 3.5" long, including their tails, which is a nice size for aquariums with at least 80-gallons of water.

Behaviors: Daffodils are usually mildly aggressive but can be more aggressive when getting ready to lay eggs and then protecting their babies.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include other Tanganyika Cichlids but not Cichlids from Lake Malawi nor from Lake Victoria. Daffodils are often kept with Synodontis Catfish, but Synodontis will eat baby fish.

Click here for more about Synodontis Catfish.

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

Temperature: Daffodil 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 Cichlids to eat. It would be best to feed them small pellets when young, then gradually increase the size as they grow bigger.

In their natural habitat Daffodil Cichlids eat small crustaceans and invertebrates.

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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: Daffodil Cichlids will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 40-gallons of water. Each Cichlid will need at least 3-gallons of water.

Decor: Daffodils do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

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

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 40-gallon aquariums need a Penguin 350B Filter, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Daffodil Cichlids.

Better is a 80, 100, or 120-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: Cichlids 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: It's usually very difficult to distinguish males from females.

Breeding: Daffodil Cichlids lay eggs in a cave and carefully protect their eggs and then their babies. It's interesting that other adult and juvenile Daffodils will also help tend the fry.

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

Popularity: These Cichlids are a very popular aquarium fish.

Names: The scientific name for the Daffodil is Neolamprologus pulcher. Note that this is same scientific name as the so called "Brichardi", because they are now considered the same species.

Click here for more about "Brichardi".

Variations: This species occurs a wide region of Lake Tanganyika and so there are probably variations and hybrids with other Neolamprologus species.

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

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.