INDEX
LAKE TANGANYIKA CICHLID
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THE FISH
Dwarf Shell Dweller
Lamprologus brevis
| HABITS |
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These fish are among the easiest of all Lake Tanganyika cichlids to raise and can even be kept in small aquariums. Be sure to provide a sufficient number of empty snail shells plus rather soft bottom material, as these fish bury the shells, leaving just the entrance open. Home, sweet home! They will defend their small territory even against fish twice their own size; and if that doesn't work, they will disappear into their snail shell, and that's that! I once saw one of my 1.5 inch L. ocellatus (very closely related species) carrying away (!!!) an Ancistrus catfish (2.5 inches) that tried to clean the shell. The Lamprologus just grabbed the catfish by its pectoral fin, carried it for 2 inches and then dropped it. It did not hurt or injure the catfish, did not even threaten it, just wanted to get rid of it. I swear this is true, I have seen it with my own eyes!! It really was quite funny to watch! (Dr B. Schnell)
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| SIZE |
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The male fish can grow to 2 and a half inches while the females only grow to 1 and a half inches.
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| FOOD |
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See recommended sera Foods below,
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FOOD
TYPES |
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| SEXING |
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The male is larger than the female and has an orange coloured edge to his dorsal fin, that is absent in the female. The sex of young specimens is not distinguishable.
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| BREEDING |
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These fish breed in snail shells. (The shells from edible snails make an excellent choice)
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The Fish
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