All fish / Cichlidae

Similis Shell Dweller

Neolamprologus similis

Also known as similis, similis shellie, lamprologus similis, shell dweller, striped shell dweller, ネオランプロローグス・シミリス, 条纹螺丽鱼

A tiny Tanganyikan cichlid with bold pale and dark vertical bars running from head to tail and a bright blue eye. It lives in colonies among empty snail shells, so a sandy tank scattered with shells gives a lively view of digging, signalling and family life in a small space.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Colony of one male with several females, or a group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo)

Breeding

Pairs or harems spawn inside empty shells, with the female guarding eggs and fry while the colony keeps intruders away. Breeding is easy in hard alkaline water and a well established colony will produce fry continuously.

Good to know

Supply more shells than fish (Neothauma or escargot shells) and keep the water hard and alkaline. They defend their patch fiercely and can bite tankmates much larger than themselves, so avoid other bottom dwellers in small tanks.