Genus / Tribe: Lamprologus / Lamprologini
Common Name: Often referred to as a "Shell Dweller" or "Pearlie."
Biotope: Found in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms where empty snail shells are present. They are typically found in shallower waters where there are about 1 to 5 shells per square meter. They bury their shells in the sand, leaving only the opening visible, to hide from predators.
Adult Size: Males grow to a maximum of 6 cm (usually around 5 cm), while females are smaller, reaching about 4 cm.
Special Ability: If a shell is not nearby when they feel threatened, they can quickly bury themselves in the sand and remain motionless until danger passes.
Minimum Tank Size: 60 Liters (approx. 15 gallons).
Setup: Fine sand is essential for their natural burying behavior. Provide several snail shells (at least one per fish).
Tank Mates: Can be kept with other small Tanganyikan cichlids that inhabit different areas of the tank (e.g., small rock-dwellers like Julidochromis). Avoid large predators that would eat them.
Aggression: Despite their small size, they are highly aggressive. They will fiercely defend their shell and territory against much larger fish.
Social Structure: Males typically live in a harem with 2 or 3 females. Males are very territorial and may keep extra "emergency" shells buried in their territory. Females are also aggressive and may prevent other females from joining the male's harem unless they are occupied with caring for fry.
Diet: Carnivorous. In the wild, they eat insect larvae, small invertebrates, and plankton. In the aquarium, they do well with artemia, daphnia, and cyclops.
Type: Shell spawner.
Process: The female lures the male to her shell. She enters to lay eggs, and the male fertilizes them immediately after she exits (if he is too large to enter, he releases sperm at the entrance).
Fecundity: Usually 10 to 20 eggs.
Parental Care: The female guards the eggs and fry exclusively, even driving away the male. Fry hatch in about 3 days and become free-swimming 5–7 days later. They stay near the shell for about 2 months before the male drives them out to find their own territory.