Neolamprologus Multifasciatus (Shell Dwellers) - With fry

[P4Angels]

These are the coolest fish I have ever had.    I feed and do water changes.  They change the landscape daily I never know what it will look like from day to day.... 



One of the small shell-dwelling cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Their unique behavior is associated with their affinity to shells. They burrow sand to move shells, take refuge in shells and also breed in them. They have pale white coloring with black vertical bars running the length of their bodies. The species is monomorphic, meaning sexing individuals is extremely hard or impossible.


In the aquarium trade N. multifasciatus are commonly known as "multies" and are moderately popular. Stores specializing in fish or quality fish stores will at least be aware of shell dwelling fish even if they are not stocked at that time. They are not as popular as larger cichlids but because they are suitable for smaller tanks and due to their prolific nature they still are widely available.


Tank requirements are very similar to other African cichlids, an example is the Mbuna. Unique requirements include a sandy substrate for burrowing and the placement of shells. A tank should have at least one shell per fish, ideally two.


Two other species of fish are similar to N. multifasciatus, Neolamprologus similis and Neolamprologus brevis. The three species are similar enough that stores normally sell them all under the common name "shellies" or "shell dwellers".

[Mugwump]

Nice...they're really something, what do you feed the fry??...I like the algae growth, I let my ,BN and cory, grow out fry tank load up too...they devour the stuff between feedings....

[P4Angels]

Brine shrimp and crushed flake...

[Ron Sower]

My new litle guys are feeding on spirulina flakes, Tetramin flakes, chopped frozen bloodwoorms, and frozen daphnia.

[P4Angels]

Update on tank.. Look at all the fry

[P4Angels2]

These are such amazing little critters...I was mean today and got into the tank and cleaned it then of course couldn't help my self but to smooth out the coral a little and readjust the shells.....sure fun to watch them scurrying around looking for their shells and their kids!! but alas it sure didn't take long for them to start moving the coral around again....have to see if I can talk Aron into taking a picture again in a week and then in 2 weeks just to see what they have created.....

[Ron Sower]

My colony is doing well Aron/Lori. I see that yours tend to swim in the mid-level area.  Mine seldom leave the bottom. Same with the brevis.

[sschind]

A very cool fish indeed.  I've gotten fry several times but so far only three fish have ever made it past the stage where I really have to look for them.  I know I have fry in the tank right now and there seems to be a few more than in the past so maybe my colony is just getting established enough where I have more than one reproductive pair and they are laying more eggs.