A Little Kingdom of Shells
The Zebra Shell Dweller (Neolamprologus similis) is a small fish from the Cichlid family which very rarely even reaches a length of two inches! They are a light gray color with darker vertical gray stripes. On some fish you may notice yellow margins to the fins that have a tinge of blue hue to them.
Zebra Shell Dwellers are endemic to the Southern portion of Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of the fish we see in the aquarium trade (or their forebears) were collected from relatively shallow (30ft deep or less) shell beds where the fish inhabit shells of dead snails on sandy substrates. They will move and position these snails, cleaning them of sand and moving the sand around their shells as well. Some are found in deeper water without shells, and they inhabit rocky rubble areas that simulate similar size openings as the snail shells would.
Because of their diminutive adults size, an aquarium as small as ten gallons can work for a small colony of shell dwellers, but it would be better to start with an aquarium of at least 20 gallons. A finer sand substrate with many shells for them to chose from is the best setup for these fish, and they don’t require much else. Like most African Cichlids they like warm water and higher pH and hardness. Be cautious when cleaning the aquarium not the bury any shells, they will seek shelter inside their shells when they feel threated and could become trapped if one were to get buried!
Zebra Shell Dwellers are quite hardy and adaptable and will accept almost all quality aquarium foods. As a bottom dwelling fish, they are never exposed to feeding off the surface, so sinking foods should be used instead of floating pellets or flakes. They will accept meaty foods if appropriately sized for their small mouths such as blood worms, mysis, and brine shrimp. Studies conducted on fish in the wild indicated that they were feeding off the bottom on small invertebrates and algae.
One of the great lures of keeping shell dwellers of any species is watching them form a colony, and Zebra Shell Dwellers are no different. Start with a group of at least eight fish, and let them settle in. They will form territories and pick out individual shells for their homes which they will start maintaining to their standards. Territories will be defended and colored up males will display to one another and courtship can be observed between fish. The spawning event will occur in the females shell, where she will lay eggs and the male will fertilize them and leave. The female will care for the eggs and the juveniles will remain in her shell and area until they are large enough to stake their own claims on their own shells. Over time a multi-generational colony will form in your aquarium with fascinating social behavior almost constantly on display.
If you are looking for a hardy fish that’s a great first African cichlid or spawning project look no further. Aside from the need for empty shells, the Zebra Shell Dweller is a fascinating, completely undemanding species who will reward you will years of entertainment as you watch their little kingdom grow inside your home aquarium. Ask your local fish store about ordering some captive bred Zebra Shell Dwellers from Aquatropic today!