Neolamprologus sexfasciatus
Gold Kipili (Neolamprologus sexfasciatus)
Gold Kipili (Neolamprologus sexfasciatus)
21 in stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
The gold Kipili variant of Neolamprologus sexfasciatus can be found in the rocky shallows of the southeastern side of Lake Tanganyika near Kipili, Tanzania. There, it can be found in pairs inhabiting crevices between rocks. Gold Kipili kept within the home aquarium will thrive best when their natural habitat is replicated with a sandy substrate and plenty of rocky caves. The more caves and breaks in their line of sight, the less aggression will be displayed.
While gold Kipili are far more manageable than their blue counterparts, they are still a particularly feisty cichlid. They should not be kept with more timid and slow moving tankmates, but they can get along with more robust Tanganyikans provided enough space and caves are provided. While a lone pair can be kept in a 40-gallon aquarium, 75 gallons or more is recommended if they are being kept in a community setting. Being voracious predators, gold Kipili will hunt down fish small enough to fit in their mouths so great consideration should be given when choosing tankmates. So long as these aspects of their personalities are kept in mind, unlike the blue variant, it is possible to have a gold Kipili as a member of a more robust Tanganyikan community.
If looking to breed gold Kipili, they are best kept in a species only tank as a solitary pair. This is because when spawning, their aggression gets far worse with the male viciously guarding the cave in which the female chooses to lay her eggs. Of course, one must obtain a pair before they are able to breed this species which can be a challenge as just having a male and female will not guarantee they will pair off. Rather, one should get a group of at least six juveniles and allow pairs to form naturally as they grow, a process that can take up to a year. Since males and females only differ in that males are slightly larger, you will only be able to tell a pair has formed based on behavior so close monitoring is key. Once pairs have formed, they should be separated as soon as possible as the aggression of spawning pairs is far worse toward their own kind and conspecifics.
After a pair has been established, the female will lay her eggs within a cave selected by the pair. Gold Kipili are notably prolific once they start spawning as eggs can number around 500 per spawn. She will tend to the eggs and fry until they are around 2-3 weeks of age while the male guards the cave. Afterwards, the male will actually chase off the female and fully take over brood care until the fry are around 4 months of age at which point they will disperse. It is very important when breeding gold Kipili that you have a back-up holding tank to place the female in as the male can get extremely aggressive with her outside of spawning or when he takes over brood care. While these feisty cichlids can be a challenge to breed, their vibrant colors and fascinating behavior make them a worthy challenge for anyone looking to keep them.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Lake Tanganyika, Africa
- Breeding: Tank-raised in USA
- Max adult size: 5-6"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Aggressive
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 72°F - 78°F
- pH range: 7.8 - 8.6
- TDS range: 250 ppm - 400 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee