Genetic techniques and long‐term behavioural observations were combined to investigate dispersal patterns and changes in social position in Neolamprologus pulcher, a co‐operatively breeding cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Comparisons of genetic variance (F_ST) across sub‐populations demonstrated that fish were genetically more similar to individuals from proximate sub‐populations compared to individuals from distant sub‐populations. Microsatellite analyses revealed year‐long philopatry for some individuals and that other individuals dispersed to new territories and sub‐populations. Individuals appeared to disperse farther (across many territories in a sub‐population or to new sub‐populations) to achieve breeding status. Non‐breeding group members (or helpers) were observed to inherit breeding positions and male breeders were replaced faster than female breeders. These results demonstrate that important and difficult to obtain life‐history information can be obtained from genetic sampling.