Neolamprologus pulcher is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it prefers locations with plenty of sedimentation. The common names for N. pulcher include daffodil cichlid, fairy cichlid, princess of Zambia and lyretail cichlid. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Daffodil cichlids are graceful fish with bodies that are elongated with a continuous dorsal fin. The tail fin is lyre-shaped and they develop long flowing filaments on all unpaired fins. They usually reach up to about 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) in length, but can sometimes get a bit bigger in the aquarium reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm). They can live 8 – 10 years with proper care.
These fish have a light-colored tan body washed with hints of yellow and bluish-purple spots. The yellow is stronger along the upper portion of the body and onto the dorsal fin, and around the base of the pectoral fin. There are two vertical crescent-shaped bars just behind the eye highlighted with a bit of blue. The dorsal fin is lyre-shaped and they develop long flowing filaments on all unpaired fins. The fins are tipped with an icy blue. They have brilliant blue eyes.
Daffodil cichlids are endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa and are widespread in the southern part of the lake. They are found along the rocky coastlines of the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. There are a number of different geographical varieties. The variety known as the "daffodil" is very popular and is found along the steep rocky slopes of Kantalamba and Kambwinba.
Like other Lamprologini cichlids, daffodil cichlids are highly variable and are found in all kinds of habitats. They are found both at the surface and in very deep waters, but all species are substrate spawners. They have a body that can be somewhat elongated to very elongated. Their colors tend to be brown, yellow, blue, black or a combination of all four. Black is usually a striping, either vertical or horizontal. Like other genera in the tribe, N. pulcher will readily mate with females of other Lamprologini.
Daffodil cichlids inhabit rocky coastlines and swim in large schools that often consist of hundreds of fish. When breeding, however, they will form monogamous pairs and spawn in caves. They are found in waters at depths of 32 feet (10 m) or deeper. They feed on swarms of plankton drifting in the lake water along with microorganisms such as small crustaceans and invertebrates.
Daffodil cichlids are omnivorous and feed on swarms of plankton in the water column as well as small crustaceans and invertebrates.
The daffodil cichlid inhabits permanent social groups composed of one breeding pair and helpers of both sexes. Absolute breeding success (assessed by a combined measure of clutch size and egg survival probability) has been shown to be higher for breeding pairs with helpers compared to those without helpers. Egg size tends to decrease as the number of helpers within groups increases, which suggests that the presence of helpers enables breeder females to strategically reduce their investment per egg in a manner that maximizes breeder fitness.
When parents and helpers care for offspring, the protection may reduce the predation risk to offspring, which may allow mothers to invest less per single offspring. Daffodil cichlid helpers protect the group offspring and reduce the offspring's mortality rate. Therefore, dominant females are expected to reduce their investment per egg when more helpers are present. Experiments show that females do indeed reduce egg size with increasing number of helpers but not when perceived neighbor density is high.
Male daffodil cichlids are facultatively polygynous. Polygyny is regarded as a beneficial mating strategy for males, whereas females often suffer a reduction in pair male contributions. Some males hold only one territory with one breeding female while other males hold multiple territories, each one with its own breeding female. Polygynous males are larger in size, body-scraped less (they suffered less from ectoparasites), have larger testes (when controlled for body mass), and have higher circulating levels of 11-ketotestosterone than monogamous males.
Paradoxically, monogamous males occupy higher-quality territories with more shelter and fewer predators. Monogamous males also provide more parental care than polygynous males, but the number and survival of young do not vary according to male mating behavior. Females have a trade-off between male genetic quality and resources. Males holding only one territory may provide their mates with significant assets but may not be able to outcompete neighbors for additional breeding positions because of their smaller body size and possibly higher parasite load. The lack of differences between monogamous and polygynous groups in terms of offspring survival, a measure of reproductive success, suggests that there may be few, if any, fitness consequences of polygynous pairing for females.
Since daffodil cichlids are a species that uses cooperative breeding, this means that each individual is ranked in terms of social status. Breeders have a higher social rank than non-breeders. Social status has significant effects on daffodil cichlid behavior.
Daffodil cichlids cannot handle large water changes very well unless the new water chemistry closely matches the water they are in. This inability to tolerate large water changes is due to Lake Tanganyika being very deep and the water tends to stay stable. There should be normal water changes of only 10% to 20% a week, or more frequent small changes depending on the nitrite/ammonia levels and stocking numbers.
The daffodil cichlid is very active and will swim in all areas of the aquarium. A minimum of 15 gallons is recommended for daffodil cichlids living in a tank with no other species of fish, with 20 or 35 US gallons (76 or 132 L) being better. A larger tank of 50 US gallons (190 L) or more would be required if mixing with other species. These fish need good water movement along with very strong and efficient filtration. Lake Tanganyika is a very oxygen-rich lake so bubblers need to be going day and night, even if there are plants, to simulate their natural environment to full effect. Nitrates levels should be no more than 25 ppm; daffodil cichlids also can't tolerate a pH less than 7.
