Lamprologus multifasciatus

Lamprologus multifasciatus

Lamprologus multifasciatus forms a colony and inhabits large shells and is therefore also called a Shell Dweller. These small fish form a colony of 10 to 15 specimen, which requires approximately 15 to 25 shells.

This little Multifasciatus is one of the smallest Shell Dwellers available. The males grow to about 4 centimeters and the females 3 centimeters in length.

Synonyms: Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Origin

They are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa.

The Aquarium

You can keep this small cichlid in an aquarium from 60 cm. The bottom should consist of sand, this is where their snail shells are buried. The sand layer must therefore also be a few centimeters thick. There should also be snail shells in the aquarium. This often requires 2 snail shells per fish.

Diet

Artemia, cyclops, krill, white and black mosquito larvae, flakes/granules, dwarf cichlid food.

Character

they are active fish that are busy all day long. When they feel threatened, they quickly go into their snail shell, but once they get used to you, they are not shy at all and you can enjoy watching them. They also form entire colonies in the aquarium.

Breeding Lamprologus multifasciatus

Breeding the Lamprologus multifasciatus is actually very simple. As long as the water parameters are good and you give them the right food, the female will lay eggs in her shell and the eggs will hatch after a week. They then stay in the shell for about a week before they come out of the shell. As soon as the young start swimming, they stay close to the shell so that in case of danger they can immediately retreat to the shell just like their parents. The parents protect the young quite fiercely and do not hesitate to attack a fish 4 to 5 times their size. The young are also protected by the entire colony. It’s one big family. The fry can be raised with very fine crushed flakes or brine shrimp nauplii.

Video

Author

Miko (Sander)

Copyright images

J. de Lange