Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Alternative Name(s): Multie, Shellie
Scientific Name(s): Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Category: Cichlid
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 5cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 55 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 18" x 12" x 15" pair
Water Temperature Range: 24-27°C
Water pH Range: 7.5-9.0
Water Hardness Range: 8-25 dGH
General Information: Dwarf Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika in Africa and are the smallest cichlids in the world. The females rarely exceed an inch in length. They are shell-dwellers, or Shellies, which means that they live and breed in shells that are scattered over the bottom of the tank.
Tank Requirements: A larger bottom area than height is recommended as Multies live mainly on the bottom area. Scatter plenty of Apple snail or Escargot shells around on top of the substrate.
Diet Requirements: Live and frozen foods should be the main diet, along with good quality small granular pellets
Compatibility: Don't mix shell-dweller species. In a suitably sized tank other Tanganyikans that use different areas of the tank can be added.
Recommendations: Use as many shells as you can all over the bottom of the tank, the fish will arrange them as they want them so don't worry too much about how they look. Substrate made of fine sand to a depth of 1". Start with 1 male/female pair or a colony with more females than males.
Common Problems: Shellies are very sensitive to high temperatures, more than likely due to the lower oxygen levels found in hot water; anything above 82 degrees should be avoided.
Similar Species: N. brevis, N. ocellatus
Sexing: Males are generally larger.
Breeding: Males will spawn with multiple females. They are egg-layers and you will only tell that a spawn has occurred by seeing the tiny fry swimming around the opening to the shells.
Author(s): Anon, Fishlady | Photo: Anon | Views: 14912
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