Daffodil Princess Cichlid 3.5cm

Daffodil Princess Cichlid
(neolamprologus Plucher)

The Daffodil Princess Cichlid is a fantastic and uncommon African cichlid. Being easily confused with the Neolamprologus Brichardii which is a princess cichlid species and has a very similar body shape however there are some very characteristic differences. Princess cichlids in general really stand out in an aquarium because of their beautiful and elegant look, they have a very nice fin structure which looks even better when mature at breeding age. The daffodil princess cichlid however has a great advantage when it comes to colours where they have an almost fairy floss like pink which is very hard to find in freshwater aquarium fish. Along with this, they have a contrasting orange on their fins and gill plate and finally an icy blue on the tips of the tail fin. Overall these colours make the daffodil princess cichlid look like a saltwater reef fish rather than a freshwater fish. Trying to find the males and females in this species is possible with males having a longer and a more developed dorsal fin than females. Interestingly these fish are monogamous and usually form bonds for life. The princess cichlid is not an extremely shy species and like many other African cichlid species, it is readily swimming and displaying itself. The princess cichlid will definitely do best in a group of others in its species as this fish is always found in ‘colonies’ in the wild. Its natural habitat is the Great Lake Tanganyika in Africa.

Tank Recommendations for your Daffodil Princess Cichlid 

The Daffodil Princess Cichlid needs a tank that is at least 40 gallons (151.42 litres) as they are fish that need to be kept in colonies with members of their species. Having the extra space allows them to accommodate for their fry if breeding occurs. A sand substrate is advisable as these cichlids actively will sift through the sand looking for food and will make them feel comfortable as they will try camouflaging against the sand. The princess cichlid will really appreciate good rock work in the aquarium with lots of caves and tunnel-like structures as these fish actively dart through the rock work. This species is most active during the day when the lights are on during the day.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The daffodil princess cichlid is relatively peaceful. They get along with a wide range of African cichlids and would make a great addition to a community of African cichlid. They will really need other members of their species to thrive and will be far more active during the day if this is the case.

Usually Compatible

Suitable tankmates include Malawi peacocks, shell dwellers, jullidochromis, calvus and haplocromis species.

Sometime Compatible

Mbuna species of African cichlids.

Rarely Compatible

Non-African fish species such as extremely small slow-moving fish such as cardinal tetras, neon tetras, glowlight tetras and heavily aggressive fish such as Oscars, jaguar cichlids and Red Devils.

Feeding your Daffodil Princess Cichlids

Princess cichlids are omnivores and they will readily prefer both meaty foods and will actively forage on algae. They will consume a wide range of dry and frozen foods. Their diet should contain good quality sinking pellets or flake and be supplemented with foods that have high greens such as a spirulina African cichlid pellet, natural algae that are grown in the aquarium and even sheets of seaweed. Feeding should occur once a day and it is best to do so when the lights are on during the day.