Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Calvus Cichlid

Altolamprologus calvus (Poll, 1978)

Also called Calvus, Pearly Lamprologus, Perlhuhnbarsch, Kaubao (local name)

SpeciesShort profile

From Endemic to the rocky shores and islands of southern/southwestern Lake Tanganyika.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Length13 to 13.8 cm1 2 3

Sizemedium

Remarkable flat body shape

Elegant pearl-spotted pattern

Calm towards fish too big to swallow

1 2

Looks how to spot one

Very flat-sided, tall-finned cichlid

An unusual, wafer-thin cichlid with a tall dorsal fin, a long snout and a body covered in rows of pearly white spots. The flattened shape lets it slip into narrow cracks.1 3 2

Coloursblack with white pearl spotswhite ('Chaitika')yellowblack pectoral formother locality forms (e.g. Black Zambia, Black Zaire)2 3

Personality what they are like

Quiet and somewhat shy, peaceful with fish too large to be eaten, but protective of its own space. Not a match for very rough cichlids.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A patient, slow-moving stalker that hovers near rocks and probes crevices for prey.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry; tank-bred fish adapt more easily than wild ones.2

Home where they are happiest

Large tank with lots of rocks forming caves and narrow crevices. Temperature 23 to 27 C, pH 7.5 to 9.0, hardness 8 to 20 dGH.2 1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Hunts small shrimps and other crustaceans in the wild. Offer meaty live and frozen foods; many will not take dry food.1 2

Company who they like around

Can share a large Tanganyika tank with Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis and Tanganyikan Synodontis.2

The story where it all began

Described by Max Poll in 1978, the calvus has become a classic of Tanganyika aquariums thanks to its striking shape and the many colour forms found at different places along the lake shore.1 2 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The name 'calvus' is Latin for bald, after a scale-free area on the head.2
2
Females choose spawning caves so small that only they can squeeze in.2
3
Its extremely flattened body lets it hunt inside narrow cracks and shallow caves.1
4
A female guards a clutch of around 200 eggs.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 22 February 2025)1
Taxonomy: Described by Poll in 19781

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Calvus Cichlid. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month

Start a free diary

Frontosa Cichlid

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FishBase: Altolamprologus calvus fishbase.seused for size, water, diet, IUCN, describer, body shape
Seriously Fish: Altolamprologus calvus seriouslyfish.comused for care, behaviour, colour forms, breeding, etymology
Wikipedia: Altolamprologus calvus en.wikipedia.orgused for local name, colour variants, distribution

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.