Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Neolamprologus multifasciatus is one of the small shell-dwelling cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The male reaches 5 cm (2 in) in length, and the female only 2.5 cm (1 in) in the aquarium. In the wild, they reach only 3.0 cm in standard length of male and female reaches less than 2.2 cm in standard length. This makes them one of the smallest cichlid species in the world. Its natural habitat is the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika, where it forms huge colonies with thousands of individuals. 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 sexually monomorphic, meaning sexing individuals is extremely hard or impossible based on external appearance alone (although size separates them when fully adult).

Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Neolamprologus multifasciatus male

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Neolamprologus
Species:
N. multifasciatus
Binomial name
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
(Boulenger, 1906)
Synonyms[2]

Lamprologus multifasciatus Boulenger, 1906

Aquarium care

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; N. similis and N. brevis. The three species are similar enough that stores normally sell them all under the common name "shellies" or "shell dwellers".

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See also

References
  • http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1749
  • Maréchal, C. and M. Poll, 1991. Neolamprologus. p. 274-294. In: J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4.
  • Axelrod, H.R., 1993. The most complete colored lexicon of cichlids. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey.
  1. Bigirimana, C. (2006). "Neolamprologus multifasciatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T60602A12381989. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60602A12381989.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2018). "Neolamprologus multifasciatus" in FishBase. October 2018 version.
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