Striped Snail Cichlid - Neolamprologus multifasciatus - DNZ single specimen

With their witty preference, Striped Snail Cichlids, Neolamprologus multifasciatus, are interesting aquarium inhabitants to watch. These bottom-dwelling and rather smaller cichlids, also called multi, originate from Lake Tanganyika in Africa, where they live in snail shells they have buried in the sand. They also prefer this way of life in the aquarium.

You get our Striped Snail Cichlids in pairs, moreover they are German offspring.

Striped Snail Cichlids grow to about 3-4 cm in size, with females tending to stay a bit smaller and more compact. They have a slight high-back with flat sides and a brown base color, on which there are cream-colored stripes that extend over the fins. In the juvenile stage, the animals are somewhat paler, and the fins also appear more transparent. The dorsal fin may be brown and white fringed and is more pointed and elongated in males. Their mouth shows thick lip bulges.

Breeding in the aquarium is possible. Since the Striped Snail Cichlids are territorial and aggressive towards conspecifics, especially during spawning season, it is recommended to keep them in an even number. They spawn more or less constantly, even the younger juveniles help to raise their siblings and defend their territory. During this time they form more or less small colonies. Egg-laying takes place in empty snail shells, from which the young hatch. They can be raised with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii when their yolk sac has been consumed.

The aquarium for a pair of Striped Snail Cichlids should be at least 100 liters. Since the animals, especially the males, are rather possessive bottom dwellers and also dig neatly in the sand, socialization with other bottom dwelling fish is not highly recommended, also the aquarium filter should be appropriately sized to filter the stirred up dust. The bottom ground should have a fine to medium Sand also should be available to each fish at least 4 snail shells. With stone structures, which are secured against falling over so that the fish do not accidentally undermine them, territorial markings, caves, but also visual contact can be established well. Especially calcareous perforated rocks are very suitable for this purpose, as the perch prefer alkaline water. For planting, perching plants such as Anubias or very strongly rooted stem plants are suitable. Since the animals are busy digging in or out of their dens, plants may be damaged. Their aquarium water should be well maintained and have a pH between 7.8 and 9.0. The animals feel most comfortable at a temperature of 24 and 27 °C, they also tolerate temperatures above this, however, care should then be taken to provide additional aeration to increase the oxygen input in the aquarium.

If the aquarium of the Striped Snail Cichlid is considerably larger than 100 liters, it can be socialized with several specimens of its own species, but also with other fish from similar habitats that reside in the middle to upper water zone.

Neoamprologus multifasciatus are carnivores, feeding in their habitat on minute crustaceans and worms, but also mollusks. Invertebrates are therefore not suitable for socialization. In the aquarium the perch can be fed several times a day with small amounts without any problems, preferred are live and frozen foods like Gammarus, Cyclops, Mysis, but also Krill, Daphnia and Artemia. Their diet should be very varied and may also include commercial granulated food or for carnivorous ornamental fish.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, which perfectly meets their requirements for food composition. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.