Multi Shell Dweller

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment5–8 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Multi (Neolamprologus multifasciatus) is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and is the smallest known cichlid: males reach about 4 to 5 cm and females barely 3 cm. It lives in vast beds of empty Neothauma snail shells on the lake floor, each fish claiming a shell, excavating the sand around it and reversing inside tail-first at any sign of trouble. Colonies of dozens share a shell bed with constant small-scale border disputes. A colony can live in a tank as small as 60 litres at 24-27C, pH 8.0 to 9.0 in hard buffered water, with a sand bed at least 5 cm deep and far more empty shells than fish, escargot shells being the usual supply. Feed frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp and finely crushed quality flake. They are peaceful towards fish that stay off the sand and fearless towards everything else, including hands during maintenance. Because the colony breeds continuously and never leaves the bottom, they are best kept as a species tank or with a mid-water shoal, and their sand bed should not be shared with any other bottom-dweller.

• How active is a Multi Shell Dweller?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Multi Shell Dweller need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Multi Shell Dweller need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Multi Shell Dweller a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Multi Shell Dweller live?

  5–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Multi Shell Dweller?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

Be the first to join this community!