Brevis cichlid
Neolamprologus brevis
Family : Cichlidae
Small shell-dwelling cichlid, territorial and monogamous.
Description
Neolamprologus brevis is a small elongated cichlid reaching 5 cm. It lives exclusively in empty snail shells which it fiercely defends. Males are slightly larger and more colorful than females. It forms monogamous pairs and lays eggs inside the shell. Its behavior is fascinating to observe, especially during courtship displays. It is a very popular species in aquaristics for its small size and unique behavior.
Habitat
Region :
Sandy areas with empty snail shells
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
Maintain a temperature of 24-26°C with pH 8-9 and hardness GH 10-20, KH 10-20. Provide a fine sandy substrate and plenty of empty snail shells. Diet should be carnivorous: brine shrimp, daphnia, small pellets. A minimum tank volume of 30 liters for a pair, but a group requires at least 100 liters. Avoid overly active or aggressive fish; conspecifics should be kept in sufficient numbers to dilute aggression. Regular water changes are essential to maintain good water quality. This species is sensitive to high nitrates.
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