Ocellatus Shell Dweller
Neolamprologus ocellatus
Cichlidae
About
The ocellatus shell dweller is a bold, stocky little cichlid from the sandy shell beds of Lake Tanganyika, larger and feistier than its multifasciatus cousin. Each fish claims a single empty snail shell, buries it to taste and defends the surrounding patch of sand fiercely, delivering surprisingly sharp nips for a fish barely five centimetres long. It thrives in hard, alkaline water over a deep sand bed scattered with shells.
Care
Keep as a single pair or one male with several females in hard, alkaline water at 24-26C over a deep sand bed with plenty of empty snail shells (more shells than fish). Territorial for its size, so give each fish its own shell. Needs a tight lid.
Diet
Carnivorous micropredator taking small crustaceans and larvae; feed frozen and live daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp and bloodworm, supplemented with sinking micro-pellets.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (6)
Possible with care (91)
Avoid (24)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.