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Calvus, Altolamprologus calvus
Lake Tanganyika · Species profile

Calvus care

Peaceful toward fish it cannot swallow, but shy. Avoid mbuna and other rowdy tank mates.

  • Up to about 5.5 inches, not counting the tailAdult size
  • 75 to 81 FTemperature

Food

Meaty live and frozen foods such as mysis, krill and brine shrimp. It often refuses dried foods.

Feeding guide

Tank mates

Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis, Synodontis catfish.

Compatibility guide

Best setup

A 36 inch tank, such as a 40 gallon breeder. Stacked rock with caves and crevices, sand, and hard alkaline water with a high pH. Keep the water very stable, with steady small changes rather than big swings.

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Care basics

Altolamprologus calvus is a flat, deep bodied hunter with white spots on black or brown. It slips into narrow crevices to pick off small fish and fry.

Give it plenty of rock caves and dim lighting. Good tank mates include Julidochromis, Neolamprologus and Cyprichromis.

Quick facts

Scientific nameAltolamprologus calvus
GroupLake Tanganyika
Native toLake Tanganyika
Adult sizeUp to about 5.5 inches, not counting the tail
Tank sizeA 36 inch tank, such as a 40 gallon breeder
Temperature75 to 81 F
pH7.5 to 9.0, hard water
TemperamentPeaceful toward fish it cannot swallow, but shy. Avoid mbuna and other rowdy tank mates.

Figures follow published species profiles such as Seriously Fish, and tank sizes are general guidance. Individual fish and local water vary, so test your water and ask your fish store about the specific fish you buy.

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Shop the Calvus setup

The tank, food, filter, heater and decor that suit Calvus, based on the care notes above.

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Gear We Recommend

Gear for Calvus

All gear
Best for: New World cichlids and oddballs

Frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp

A weekly treat. Skip bloodworms for mbuna.

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Best for: African rock tanks

Holey limestone rock

Lots of caves and it gently buffers hardness for Malawi and Tanganyika fish.

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Best for: Tanks 55 gallons and up

Canister filter

Moves lots of water and holds lots of media. The workhorse of most cichlid tanks.

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Best for: Shell dwellers and breeding pairs

40 gallon breeder

Wide footprint for territories. A fish room favorite.

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