Neolamprologus fasciatus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. This species spawns in empty snail shells. This species can reach a length of 15 cm TL. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade. They are piscivores and their prey includes the cichlid fish Variabilichromis moorii.

<!--This species is often placed in [Neolamprologus](https://bliptext.com/articles/neolamprologus). With its [torpedo](https://bliptext.com/articles/torpedo)-like shape, is more similar to these than to the high-backed [Altolamprologus](https://bliptext.com/articles/altolamprologus). But in other respects it is a fairly typical Altolamprologus, and like the other two [species](https://bliptext.com/articles/species) of that [genus](https://bliptext.com/articles/genus) a ferocious (for its size) [carnivore](https://bliptext.com/articles/carnivore) preying on smaller fish such as juvenile cichlids. Analysis of [mtDNA](https://bliptext.com/articles/mtdna) [NADH dehydrogenase](https://bliptext.com/articles/nadh-dehydrogenase) [subunit](https://bliptext.com/articles/protein-subunit) 2 [sequence](https://bliptext.com/articles/dna-sequence) data confirms that it is closer to Altolamprologus than to Neolamprologus, but still represents a lineage well distinct from the other Altolamprologus. The reason for these unclear relationships may be that the origin of A. fasciatus lies in [hybridization](https://bliptext.com/articles/hybrid-biology) of a female of the original Altolamprologus and a male of some other lineage of [Lamprologini](https://bliptext.com/articles/lamprologini). Such an event would have happened long ago enough to arguably place A. fasciatus in a [monotypic](https://bliptext.com/articles/monotypic) genus, though such inconvenient arrangements are generally avoided in [taxonomy](https://bliptext.com/articles/taxonomy-biology). Alternatively, A. fasciatus could be an offshoot of its genus that has [adapted](https://bliptext.com/articles/adaptation) to [mimic](https://bliptext.com/articles/mimicry) Neolamprologus or similar cichlids which hunt [invertebrates](https://bliptext.com/articles/invertebrate). Such fishes are not considered a threat by the prey of A. fasciatus, and thus the predator may be able to catch its prey unawares. But it not known whether A. fasciatus indeed represents a case of [cryptic](https://bliptext.com/articles/cryptic-aggressive-mimicry) or other [aggressive mimicry](https://bliptext.com/articles/aggressive-mimicry). [Lepidiolamprologus mimicus](https://bliptext.com/articles/lepidiolamprologus-mimicus) – the only lamprologine for which aggressive mimicry has been confirmed as of mid-2008 – is a [Batesian-Wallacian aggressive mimic](https://bliptext.com/articles/aggressive-mimicry); it appears similar to females of [Paracyprichromis brieni](https://bliptext.com/articles/paracyprichromis-brieni) and joins swarms of that species to feed on their young. Given the [basal](https://bliptext.com/articles/basal-evolution) position of A. fasciatus in its genus, it may also be that there is really nothing unusual about this species: it might simply represent a [missing link](https://bliptext.com/articles/missing-link) between the "typical" Altolamprologus and other lamprologines, retaining the shape of the latter while already possessing several other [apomorphies](https://bliptext.com/articles/apomorph) of the former, and successful enough to persist for a long time in its [ecological niche](https://bliptext.com/articles/ecological-niche). Detailed studies of its [anatomy](https://bliptext.com/articles/anatomy), [genetics](https://bliptext.com/articles/genetics), and [behavior](https://bliptext.com/articles/behavior) will probably be necessary to decide what the underlying reasons for this species' unusual appearance are.-->