Neolamprologus similis
Neolamprologus similis is a very small cichlid, reaching 4-5 cm. in size. Males grow slightly larger than females. They live in and around snail graveyards, each fish makes from a snail shell, “his little home”. On the body of this fish are +/- 16 to 24 dark brown transverse stripes, continuing upward and backward on the fins. The front stripe is located on the head, just behind the eye. The dorsal fin has a dark edge with a contrasting white stripe inside. The anal fin has a yellow border. The eyes are usually light blue in color.
Neolamprologus similis was first known as Lamprologus similis.
Origin
Africa (Lake Tanganyika)
The Aquarium
For this inhabitant of snail shells from Lake Tanganyika, the aquarium should be at least 60 centimeters and furnished with a sandy bottom. Snail shells should be placed on this bottom to serve as hiding places for these fish. Around such a snail shell a territory is established that is fiercely defended. They do best in the company of other cichlids from Lake Tanganyika.
Diet
They are omnivores with a preference for live food.
Character
Neolamprologus similis is a rather calm species, usually stays near the snail shell it inhabits. They should be kept in a group. Some skirmishes may occur within the group. Towards other fish, the species may show aggression when eggs or young are present in the snail shell. They are adrift diggers, the snail shells offered will soon be more than half buried.
Breeding Neolamprologus similis
Breeding of Neolamprologus similis is fairly easy. Up to 30 eggs are deposited in the snail shells and fertilized. They can be raised with finely ground dry food and Artemia nauplii. The young are tolerated near the nest for quite some time. When the young are large, they are also included in the group, just like a large family.
Video
Author
Bert van Rooij
Copyright images
– This work is covered by CC BY-NC 4.0.
