Lake Tanganyika Shell-dwelling Cichlids Neolamprologus multifasciatus/similis/signatus

The Multilined Shell-dwelling Cichlid, also called Many-banded Shell-dweller, N. multifasciatus above, is one of several "shell-dwelling" small cichlids native to Lake Tanganyika.

They have light bodies with dark (black or brown) vertical lines which stop well behind the gills (unlike N. similis which have lines on the brow). One of the smallest cichlids in the world, they typically reach some 3-4cm long, males growing larger and often more contrasted lines.

Like the other species/genera of shell-dwellers, they hide in empty Neothauma snail shells for protection from predators and also lay their eggs in the shells, which the female defends and cares for alone. The Multilined are communal nesters, using many empty shells in an area.

The Signatus Shell-dweller, N. signatus above, is another of the "shell dwelling" cichlids native to Lake Tanganyika, on the southern part near the Zambian shore. It is larger than the Many-lined, growing to 5-5.5cm long, and male and female look very different, only the larger male having the dark vertical stripes and the female being plain. While the female lays the eggs and guards them, the male guards a territory of several shells and, unlike the Many-lined, both parents look after the brood.