A territorial but shy specires. It can be maintained successfully with other small to medium-sized Tanganyikan cichlids that occupy different areas of the tank such as Neolamprologus shelldwellers and Cyprichromis species. It should be kept as a pair as it is aggressive towards conspecifics. A suitably large aquarium is required if several are to be kept.
Should be housed in a Lake Tanganyika bioscape setup, with piles of rocks arranged to form caves filling much of the aquarium A sandy substrate is preferable. Upturned flower pots make good alternative shelters and spawning caves for this species, as do large snail shells.
Temperature: 73-81°F (23-27°C)
pH: 8.0-9.5
Hardness: 8-25°H