Ocellated Shell-dweller
Lamprologus ocellatus
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A cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika that lives and spawns inside empty snail shells, which it buries in the sand, in colonies. It defends its shell boldly — it will even bite the aquarist's hand. The male is larger and has a gold-edged dorsal fin. Popular with hobbyists.
- Scientific name
- Lamprologus ocellatus
- Family
- Cichlidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Order
- Cichliformes
- Synonyms
- Julidochromis ocellatus, Lamprologus brevis, Lamprologus lestradei, Neolamprolagus ocellatus
Origin
- Native region
- África
Water
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 7.5–9
- General hardness (GH)
- 10–25 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 6 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care
- Care difficulty
- Easy
Reproduction
- Breeding strategy
- Substrate or cave spawner
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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