How many shells do I need for a colony of Neolamprologus similis?

You should provide at least 3 to 4 empty shells per fish. This abundance prevents aggressive disputes over the 'best' homes and allows the fish to create proper territories.

Can I keep Neolamprologus similis with Neolamprologus multifasciatus?

It is highly recommended against. Because they are so closely related and occupy the exact same ecological niche, they will fight constantly for territory, and there is a high risk of crossbreeding.

Why are my shell dwellers constantly moving the sand?

This is completely natural behaviour. They dig to bury their shells to a specific depth, anchoring them and making the entrances smaller and easier to defend against predators.

What is the best substrate for shell dwellers?

A fine, sandy substrate is mandatory. Aragonite or coral sand is ideal because it helps maintain the high pH and water hardness they require, and it is soft enough to pass harmlessly through their gills when they dig. Never use gravel.

Will they eat their own fry?

Rarely. In fact, they are known for their multi-generational colonies where older siblings are tolerated in the territory and sometimes even help protect the newer fry.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Similis Shell Dweller

Neolamprologus similis

A fascinating, miniature African cichlid that builds multi-generational colonies inside empty snail shells.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C
pH range: 8 – 9
Hardness: 12 – 20 dGH
Adult size: 3 – 4.5 cm
60L for a small starting colony: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Deep, fine sand substrate (such as aragonite) equipped with at least 3 to 4 empty escargot or Neothauma shells per fish.

About the Similis Shell Dweller

Neolamprologus similis is a captivating dwarf cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Famous for their intricate social structures, these fish form bustling colonies centred around empty snail shells. They are industrious architects, constantly moving sand in their mouths to bury and arrange their homes to their exact liking. Despite their small size, they pack the enormous personality expected of a much larger cichlid.

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Where Similis Shell Dweller comes from

Native range

Lake Tanganyika

Countries / regions

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia

Habitat

Deep water zones with expansive sandy bottoms covered in thousands of empty Neothauma snail shells.

Primarily found in the southern parts of the lake along the coastlines of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Similar species

Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Brevis Shell Dweller
Neolamprologus brevis
Ocellatus Gold
Lamprologus ocellatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Sardine Cichlid
Cyprichromis leptosoma
Occupies the upper water column and requires the same hard water parameters, avoiding territorial disputes.
Great
Dickfeld's Julie
Julidochromis dickfeldi
In larger tanks, they stick strictly to rockwork, complementing the sandy shell-bed domain of the Similis.
Great
Dwarf Petricola
Synodontis lucipinnis
Shares the same water chemistry but may prey on tiny fry that venture too far from their protective shells.
Compatible with caution
Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
High risk of fierce territorial competition and hybridisation; tanks should strictly house only one shell-dwelling species.
Not recommended
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Requires soft, acidic water which is entirely incompatible with the high pH and hardness Tanganyikan cichlids demand.
Not recommended

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