Lamprologus Ocellatus care guide
Lamprologus Ocellatus (Lamprologus ocellatus) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-9.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Ocellated Shell-dweller (Lamprologus ocellatus) is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, reaching only about 6 cm. Each adult occupies and defends an empty Neothauma snail shell as a home and breeding site. The compact golden body is marked by an iridescent eye-spot pattern on the flank.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Lamprologus
- Scientific name: Lamprologus ocellatus
- Common synonyms: Gold Occie, Shell Dweller
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits sandy substrates littered with empty Neothauma snail shells in the lower littoral. Tanganyika water is hard and alkaline — pH 8.5-9.2, KH 12-20 — with stable warm temperatures and very high dissolved oxygen.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 4-6 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-9
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
A micro-carnivore that picks small crustaceans and zooplankton from the water column and substrate near its shell. In aquaria it accepts frozen Artemia, cyclops and mysis and small slow-sinking pellets; food taken near the shell is preferred.
Compatibility
Territorial around its shell but peaceful elsewhere. Best kept as one male with two to three females, each with her own shell, in a 40+ L tank with several centimetres of sand and a "field" of shells. Compatible with calm Tanganyikans such as Cyprichromis or other small shell-dwellers in larger volumes.
Breeding
A monogamous (within the territory) cave spawner. The female lays eggs deep inside the shell and guards the brood; the male defends the surrounding territory. Fry emerge after about a week and stay near the shells.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: assessed and categorised as Least Concern. Lake Tanganyika exports are regulated by riparian countries; the species is widely captive-bred for the aquarium trade.
Lamprologus Ocellatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Lamprologus ocellatus is a shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika that lives in snail shells and raises its young inside them. It is a substrate spawner that deposits eggs within the shell, and males spawn with multiple females in or near their shells.
Sexing
Males are notably larger than females and display distinctive coloration, including a yellow edge on the dorsal fin. Adults reach up to about 5.8 cm, with the larger fish in a group usually being the male.
Conditioning
The species is omnivorous and will accept a wide variety of prepared aquarium foods including flake, small pellets, frozen foods and live brine shrimp or daphnia. A varied diet brings fish into breeding condition.
Breeding Setup
Provide a sand bed with empty snail shells, which the fish use as homes and spawning sites; they bury shells using propeller-like motions of the tail. Suitable water is hard and alkaline at pH 8.0-8.3 minimum, carbonate hardness (kH) 12-14 and 23-27 °C (73-81 °F). A male can be kept with several females, each occupying her own shell.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male spawns with multiple females in or near his shells, and eggs are laid inside the shell. A settled territory with good shells and stable hard, alkaline water are the main triggers.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs laid inside the shell take approximately three days to hatch, and the fry are free-swimming in one week. Newly hatched fry measure about 6 mm. The female tends the brood within the shell; the fry accept brine shrimp nauplii and other small foods once free-swimming.