Tretocephalus Cichlid

The tretocephalus cichlid is sometimes referred to as the five banded or five barred cichlid. Breeders use this common name to distinguish the neolamprologus five bar from the six bar neolamprologus sexfasciatus. However, the tretocephalus has a different color pattern as well. These Tanganyikan cichlids are prized for the bright white and blue pattern and their very active behavior in the fish tank.

Tretocephalus is territorial but will tolerate other Tanganyikan cichlids such as julidochromis and lamprologus species. In the wild, the African cichlid feeds on small snails and clams, so they are great for snail population control. Not so great with desirable aquarium snails.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Use a sand bottom with rockwork, caves and crevices for spawning sites. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.

Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Tanganyikan cichlids do best with other Tanganyikans of similar size, such as julidochromis, neolamprologus and synodontis catfish. Give each pair its own territory.

Good to know: Tretocephalus eat snails, so they are great for pest control but will also eat any snails you want to keep.