Calvus Cichlid

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment8–12 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Calvus (Altolamprologus calvus) is a Lake Tanganyika rock specialist reaching about 10 to 13 cm for males and rather less for females, and it comes in black, white and yellow regional forms. Its body is unusually thin from side to side and covered in heavy scales, an adaptation for pushing into narrow rock cracks after shrimp and fry while staying protected. It grows very slowly, often taking three years to reach adult size, so a small fish is not a young bargain but a long project. A pair or trio does well in 150 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 8.0 to 9.0 in hard, buffered water, with piled rock full of crevices and a few empty snail shells. Feed frozen mysis, cyclops and quality pellets; it is a predator of small live prey and will eat any fry in the tank, including its own. Temperament towards other species is peaceful and it is genuinely tank-safe with similarly sized Tanganyikans, though two adults of the same sex will spar. Do not house it with anything small enough to swallow, and do not expect a fast return: this is a species for a patient keeper.

• How active is a Calvus Cichlid?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Calvus Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Calvus Cichlid need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Calvus Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Calvus Cichlid live?

  8–12 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Calvus Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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