Neolamprologus multifasciatus is one of the small shell-dwelling cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The male reaches 5 cm (2 in) in length, and the female only 2.5 cm (1 in) in the aquarium. In the wild, they reach only 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in standard length of male and female reaches less than 2.2 centimetres (0.87 in) in standard length. This makes them one of the smallest cichlid species in the world. Its natural habitat is the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika, where it forms huge colonies with thousands of individuals. Their unique behavior is associated with their affinity to shells. They burrow sand to move shells, take refuge in shells and also breed in them. They have pale white coloring with black vertical bars running the length of their bodies. The species is sexually monomorphic, meaning sexing individuals is extremely hard or impossible based on external appearance alone (although size separates them when fully adult).
In the aquarium trade N. multifasciatus are commonly known as "multies" and are moderately popular. Stores specializing in fish or quality fish stores will at least be aware of shell dwelling fish even if they are not stocked at that time. They are not as popular as larger cichlids but because they are suitable for smaller tanks and due to their prolific nature they still are widely available.
Tank requirements are very similar to other African cichlids, an example is the Mbuna. Unique requirements include a sandy substrate for burrowing and the placement of shells. A tank should have at least one shell per fish, ideally two.
Two other species of fish are similar to N. multifasciatus; N. similis and N. brevis. The three species are similar enough that stores normally sell them all under the common name "shellbreeders", "Breeding Material" or "shell dwellers".[3]
Maréchal, C. and M. Poll, 1991. Neolamprologus. p. 274-294. In: J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4.
Axelrod, H.R., 1993. The most complete colored lexicon of cichlids. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey.
^Bigirimana, C. (2006). "Neolamprologus multifasciatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T60602A12381989. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60602A12381989.en.
^Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2018). "Neolamprologus multifasciatus" in FishBase. October 2018 version.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neolamprologus multifasciatus.
Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Neolamprologus similis" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Neolamprologus brevis" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
January 01, 1970
neolamprologus, multifasciatus, small, shell, dwelling, cichlids, endemic, lake, tanganyika, male, reaches, length, female, only, aquarium, wild, they, reach, only, centimetres, standard, length, male, female, reaches, less, than, centimetres, standard, length. Neolamprologus multifasciatus is one of the small shell dwelling cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika The male reaches 5 cm 2 in in length and the female only 2 5 cm 1 in in the aquarium In the wild they reach only 3 centimetres 1 2 in in standard length of male and female reaches less than 2 2 centimetres 0 87 in in standard length This makes them one of the smallest cichlid species in the world Its natural habitat is the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika where it forms huge colonies with thousands of individuals Their unique behavior is associated with their affinity to shells They burrow sand to move shells take refuge in shells and also breed in them They have pale white coloring with black vertical bars running the length of their bodies The species is sexually monomorphic meaning sexing individuals is extremely hard or impossible based on external appearance alone although size separates them when fully adult Neolamprologus multifasciatus Neolamprologus multifasciatus male Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Cichliformes Family Cichlidae Genus Neolamprologus Species N multifasciatus Binomial name Neolamprologus multifasciatus Boulenger 1906 Synonyms 2 Lamprologus multifasciatus Boulenger 1906 Contents 1 Aquarium care 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksAquarium care editIn the aquarium trade N multifasciatus are commonly known as multies and are moderately popular Stores specializing in fish or quality fish stores will at least be aware of shell dwelling fish even if they are not stocked at that time They are not as popular as larger cichlids but because they are suitable for smaller tanks and due to their prolific nature they still are widely available Tank requirements are very similar to other African cichlids an example is the Mbuna Unique requirements include a sandy substrate for burrowing and the placement of shells A tank should have at least one shell per fish ideally two Two other species of fish are similar to N multifasciatus N similis and N brevis The three species are similar enough that stores normally sell them all under the common name shellbreeders Breeding Material or shell dwellers 3 See also editList of freshwater aquarium fish speciesReferences edithttp www cichlid forum com profiles species php id 1749 Marechal C and M Poll 1991 Neolamprologus p 274 294 In J Daget J P Gosse G G Teugels and D F E Thys van den Audenaerde eds Check list of the freshwater fishes of Africa CLOFFA ISNB Brussels MRAC Tervuren and ORSTOM Paris Vol 4 Axelrod H R 1993 The most complete colored lexicon of cichlids T F H Publications Neptune City New Jersey Bigirimana C 2006 Neolamprologus multifasciatus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006 e T60602A12381989 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2006 RLTS T60602A12381989 en Froese Rainer Pauly Daniel eds 2018 Neolamprologus multifasciatus in FishBase October 2018 version Why Fish Commit Suicide via YouTube External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neolamprologus multifasciatus Froese Rainer Pauly Daniel eds 2013 Neolamprologus similis in FishBase February 2013 version Froese Rainer Pauly Daniel eds 2013 Neolamprologus brevis in FishBase February 2013 version Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Neolamprologus multifasciatus amp oldid 1146402648, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
