Neolamprologus similis Care Guide
Neolamprologus similis is a tiny shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that forms colonies in empty snail shells and suits nano tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Neolamprologus similis is a small shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, described by Buscher in 1992. It resembles N. multifasciatus but its vertical white stripes extend onto the head. It is copper-coloured and forms colonies in empty snail shells, making it well suited to nano Tanganyika setups.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Neolamprologus
- Scientific name: Neolamprologus similis
- Common synonyms: Lamprologus similis
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, recorded along the shores of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. It inhabits sandy areas with beds of empty Neothauma snail shells, where the alkaline water typical of the lake favours shell preservation.
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 several empty snail shells
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
It is a micropredator that feeds on small invertebrates and zooplankton near its shell colony. In the aquarium it accepts small frozen and prepared foods offered near the substrate.
Compatibility
Although semi-aggressive in defending its shell territory, it is suitable for a community of other Tanganyika species such as Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, other shell-dwellers and Synodontis petricola. It should not be kept with mbuna, Tropheus or aggressive haps.
Breeding
Breeding occurs inside the shells. The species forms colonies in which males tolerate male offspring until they become competitors, while female offspring may eventually be courted. Captive breeding is rated easy.
Breeding Neolamprologus similis
Overview
Neolamprologus similis is a tiny shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, with males reaching about 4.5 cm and females about 3.5 cm. It is a shell brooder: pairs and colonies lay and guard eggs inside empty snail shells. Highly territorial despite its size, it defends a very small area, roughly 15 cm across, with vigour.
Sexing
Adult males are considerably larger than females and may develop a small nuchal hump as they mature. Within an established colony this size difference is usually the clearest indicator of sex.
Conditioning
Live and frozen foods should form the bulk of the diet, with dried foods accepted but never fed exclusively. Well-fed fish kept in stable, hard, alkaline water at 24-27 °C readily come into breeding condition.
Breeding Setup
Provide fine sand and plenty of empty snail shells, with more shells than fish. If a group is kept it forms a colony; keep more females than males and space the shells out to reduce male-to-male aggression. A single male may spawn with several females. The breeding pH is best around 8.0-8.5.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female displays at a shell entrance until the male responds. She then enters the shell to deposit eggs and backs out as the male releases sperm at the entrance, fertilising the clutch. Stable water and abundant shells trigger spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in approximately 24 hours, and fry become free-swimming around day six or seven, at which point they accept brine shrimp nauplii or microworm. The female tends the brood within and around the shell.
Common Challenges
Aggression between males in a confined space is the main issue; providing enough shells and spacing them well prevents most conflict. Because territories are tiny but vigorously defended, even this small fish needs a sand-bottomed tank designed around its shell colony.