壮盗丽鱼

Overview

Lestradea perspicax is a notably peaceful Tanganyikan cichlid that searches for food by sifting sand. It is uncommon in the trade and benefits from quiet companions, usable sandy floor space and plenty of room to swim.

Distribution & habitat

The species is endemic to the northern end of Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits shallow areas with sandy bottoms.

Aquarium setup

An aquarium around 120 × 30 × 30 cm provides a reference. Arrange rock piles into caves but retain extensive open swimming space rather than filling the entire footprint with stone. Sand allows its normal feeding behavior. Maintain the hard alkaline conditions appropriate to this lake fish.

Diet & feeding

Most suitable foods are accepted, but live and frozen offerings should form the main part of feeding. Sand sifting is a method of searching for food, not evidence that aquarium debris alone supplies an adequate diet.

Behaviour & compatibility

Avoid highly boisterous or domineering rock-dwelling cichlids. Choose gentler Tanganyikan companions with matching requirements, while preserving the sand area it uses.

Sexual dimorphism

Sexing can be difficult. Males tend to be slightly larger and show two distinct dorsal-fin lines, whereas females usually show one. Assess mature individuals carefully rather than treating a brief view as conclusive.

Breeding

Females are known to mouthbrood in nature, but successful aquarium reproduction has not established a practical breeding protocol. Timings from other Tanganyikan mouthbrooders should not simply be transferred to this species.

Notes

Confusion has involved the related Lestradea stappersi, initially treated as a subspecies but now regarded as distinct. Recognize that historical classification when checking identity rather than interpreting the former subspecies name as an ordinary color form.