All fish / Cichlidae

Snail Shell Mbuna

Maylandia lanisticola

Also known as lanisticola, snail shell cichlid, pseudotropheus lanisticola, metriaclima lanisticola, shell dwelling mbuna, lanisticola mbuna

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A small mbuna from Lake Malawi that lives among empty Lanistes snail shells, using them for shelter and spawning. Males show a bluish body with faint dark bars while females are usually yellowish brown. It is kept as a compact, interesting alternative to larger, more aggressive mbuna.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

One male with several females

Diet

Omnivore: spirulina flakes and pellets, vegetable matter, small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder that spawns in or near shells, with the female carrying eggs and fry for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a hard, alkaline aquarium supplied with plenty of shells.

Good to know

Provide many large snail shells and rockwork, as males defend shells vigorously. Avoid mixing with similar mbuna to prevent hybridisation.