All fish / Cichlidae

Brevis Shell Dweller

Lamprologus brevis

Also known as brevis, neolamprologus brevis, shell dweller, brevis shelldweller, lamprologus brevis, ネオランプロローグス・ブレビス, 短身贝壳鱼

A tiny Tanganyikan cichlid with a sandy brown body, faint dark bars and pale blue edging on the fins and face. It is kept for its fascinating habit of living in empty snail shells on a sand bed, with a male and female often sharing a single shell, unlike most other shell dwellers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One pair, or a pair per shell cluster

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, plus quality micro pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia)

Breeding

Eggs are laid inside a shell and guarded by the female, while the pair defends the area together. Breeding is easy in a species tank with plenty of shells and fine sand, and fry can stay with the parents for some time.

Good to know

Now usually placed in Lamprologus rather than Neolamprologus. Small but territorial around its shells, so avoid large or boisterous tankmates and provide hard, alkaline water.