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Zebra Shelldweller (Neolamprologus similis) |
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Photo of: Zebra Shelldweller (Neolamprologus similis)
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Scientific Name(s): Neolamprologus similis, Lamprologus similis
Common Name(s): Zebra Shelldweller, Similar Shelldweller, Big-Eyed Multi
Family: Cichlidae
Species Type: African Cichlids, Lake Tanganyika
Maximum Size: 2 inches
Life Span: 10 years
Natural Habitat: African Lake Tanganyika
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Tank Region: All over
Possible Tank Mates: Other African Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika
Description: As with most of the smaller shellies, requirements are slight: sand, shells, and hard, basic, clean water. Somewhat more aggressive than the "similar" multis, they are better off in pairs for smaller tanks. Larger ones will allow for a colony to form, although it may never be as congenial as a multi colony. The species, although named for its similarity to N. multifasciatus, is impossible to mistake for the multi thanks to a few main differences. Similis appear to have light stripes on a dark body, where multis are the opposite; similis supposedly have larger eyes, hence the common name; and most useful of all, similis have additional stripes on the neck and head, where the multis' stripes cover only the body.
Temperature Range 72°F - 80°F
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| 60°F |
65°F |
70°F |
75°F |
80°F |
85°F |
90°F |
| pH 5.0 |
pH 6.0 |
pH 7.0 |
pH 8.0 |
pH 9.0 |
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Breeding Information: This shelldweller is fairly easy to breed, but with close-to-wild stock, keep an eye on the hardness and pH; if adult fish aren't breeding, getting conditions a bit closer to those of the Lake is often all it takes. Fry will feed themselves on scraps but also appreciate live foods. |
Sexing Information: This fish is quite easy to sex at adulthood: males are larger and have a distinctive, if small, nuchal hump. |
Diet: Carnivorous - does well with frozen or freeze dried foods. Also may accept flake or pellet foods.
Temperment: Territorial; Somewhat reclusive but primarily aggressive and territorial.
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Common Diseases: None specific to species. This profile has been viewed 12154 times. |
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African Catfish
