Neolamprologus brevis Care Guide
Neolamprologus brevis is a small Lake Tanganyika shell-dweller notable because a pair shares a single shell, a peaceful choice for nano tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Neolamprologus brevis is a small shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, described by Boulenger in 1899. Unusually for shell-dwellers, a male and female pair share the same shell rather than holding separate ones. It is relatively peaceful for a Lamprologine and well suited to nano Tanganyika tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Neolamprologus
- Scientific name: Neolamprologus brevis
- Common synonyms: Lamprologus brevis
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits empty snail shells, primarily of the genus Neothauma, on sandy substrate. The hard, alkaline water of the lake underpins its care requirements.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with suitable snail shells
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
It feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates, suited to its diminutive size. In the aquarium it accepts small frozen and prepared foods offered near the substrate.
Compatibility
It is peaceful by Lamprologine standards and suits a Tanganyika community with Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, other shell-dwellers and Synodontis petricola. It should not be kept with mbuna, Tropheus or aggressive haps.
Breeding
The pair spawns inside their shared shell, with both adults present. Males are notably larger than females and can be sexed even when young. Captive breeding is rated easy.
Conservation status
Neolamprologus brevis is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Breeding Neolamprologus brevis
Overview
Neolamprologus brevis is a small shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika and fairly widespread in the lake. Males reach about 6 cm and females about 4 cm. It is a shell brooder, and unusually for the group, a pair may share the same shell, especially where shells are limited.
Sexing
Adult males are considerably larger than females, though the species is not easy to sex when young. Allowing fish to mature and pair off within a group is the most reliable way to obtain a breeding pair.
Conditioning
Offer mainly live and frozen foods; dried varieties are usually accepted, especially by tank-bred fish, but should not form the bulk of the diet. Maintain hard, alkaline water at 23-27 °C to keep the fish in condition.
Breeding Setup
Provide fine sand and empty snail shells, with a defended territory no more than about 15 cm across per pair. In colonies, keep several females per male to reduce aggression. Where shell numbers are limited, pairs naturally share a single shell.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female deposits eggs inside the snail shell while the male fertilises them, then she sits on top of the shell, covering the entrance and fanning the eggs with her fins. Stable water and available shells trigger spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in around 24 hours, and the fry become free-swimming at around day six or seven. The fry are typically tended near the shell and are later evicted after another fortnight or so as the parents prepare to spawn again.
Common Challenges
Although more peaceful than many shell-dwellers, brevis still defends its shell vigorously, so adequate sand area and spaced shells are needed in colonies. Sexing immature fish is difficult, making it best to grow out a small group and let pairs form.