{"product_id":"lamprologus-multifasciatus-tanganyikan-african-cichlids-5cm","title":"Lamprologus Multifasciatus Tanganyikan African Cichlids 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Multi Shell Dweller, Neolamprologus multifasciatus, is one of the smallest cichlids known, finely barred in cream and brown with a bold character far bigger than its body. It lives in colonies inside empty snail shells, digging and rearranging the sand constantly to suit itself. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, it suits keepers wanting a fascinating species tank in modest space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 4.5 cm (1.8 in) for males; females about 3 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Lake Tanganyika, East Africa (endemic)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Sandy shell beds in deeper shoreline water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous, micro-predator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia, small granules, crushed flake, mysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small feeds once or twice daily; food must be tiny\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Its own colony, Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, Julidochromis in large tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Other shell dwellers, Mbuna, large or boisterous fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful within a colony; fearless towards intruders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Defends its shell and a small surrounding area vigorously\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner to Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Needs hard water, fine sand and plenty of spare shells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 24–27°C (75–81°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.5–9.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 40 litres for a pair; 80 litres or more for a colony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with six or more to form a colony and supply at least two or three empty shells per fish over a deep bed of fine sand. They excavate craters around the shells, so avoid rooted plants. Breeding is easy: females spawn inside the shell, fry appear after about a week and are tolerated in the colony for weeks. Males are larger with a reddish tint to the dorsal. A thriving colony is captivating.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680672690553,"sku":"STF-LAMPRO-MULTIFASCIATUS","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LAMPRO-MULTIFASCIATUS.png?v=1790097032","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/lamprologus-multifasciatus-tanganyikan-african-cichlids-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}