Care guide · Freshwater · fish
Ocellated shell-dweller care
Lamprologus ocellatus
Lamprologus ocellatus is a small shell-brooding cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. It buries and defends an empty snail shell as a refuge and nest. The fish stays small, but territorial behaviour around its shell can be intense. Provide suitable sand, more empty shells than fish, hard alkaline water and a carefully planned stocking arrangement. This guide distinguishes the accepted name from a genus combination used by some specialist sources and separates documented facts from practical caution. The substrate layout therefore shapes both daily behaviour and breeding. Treat stated dimensions as the minimum for the described stocking, not as an automatic guarantee for every combination.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 23–25 °C
- pH
- 8.0–9.0
- GH
- 10–19 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 60 cm
- Adult size
- Up to 6 cm
- Group size
- At least 2 individuals
- Temperament
- Territorial
About this species
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Males grow larger than females. FishBase lists a maximum of 5.8 cm total length (TL), while Seriously Fish gives 6 cm standard length (SL); these are different measurements. The gold colour form is popular in the hobby. Seriously Fish distinguishes this species from the similar Neolamprologus brevis by the lack of vertical flank bars.Natural habitat
In the lake, ocellatus occurs along sandy shores with scattered rocks and empty snail shells. Provide open sand, scattered stones and several suitable empty shells. Use fine, rounded sand that fish can move. Offer more shells than fish and space them out so individuals can choose.Aquarium and layout
FishBase gives a minimum aquarium length of 60 cm. Seriously Fish describes 45 × 30 × 30 cm (about 40 litres) for a pair or one male with two or three females, and says a colony needs more room. We use the more cautious 60 cm length; this is not a guarantee for every stocking plan. The substrate must be diggable and shells should be stable. The fish may bury neighbouring shells and vigorously defend the immediate area.Water conditions
Stable, hard and alkaline water suits its Tanganyika origin. Seriously Fish gives 23–27 °C, pH 7.5–9.0 and 10–25 °dGH; FishBase records field values of 23–25 °C, pH 8–9 and hardness 9–19. Their overlap is 23–25 °C, pH 8–9 and 10–19 °dGH. Field measurements are not a complete aquarium recipe. Avoid abrupt changes and do not confuse GH with KH.Behaviour and group size
Ocellatus defends its chosen shell and a small area around it. A pair or carefully planned small harem may be kept; a colony needs more space, enough shells and more females than males to reduce conflict. Do not choose companions based on water values alone. Consider territory, bottom-zone overlap, adult size and behaviour.Feeding
This is a small invertebrate feeder. Offer varied live or frozen foods of suitable size; Seriously Fish says these should make up most of the diet, although dried foods are often accepted. Check that every fish feeds. No shop product is linked until an exact suitable product with a current offer has been verified.Breeding
The female lays eggs inside an empty snail shell and guards and fans them after fertilisation. Seriously Fish reports hatching at about three days and free swimming at around ten days. Several well-spaced shells and more females than males can help reduce aggression. Once fry swim freely, offer suitable small live foods. Other fish in a colony may eat fry.Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .
View the sources
- California Academy of Sciences — Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes — Lamprologus ocellatus
- FishBase — Lamprologus ocellatus — biological record
- NCBI — NCBI Taxonomy — Lamprologus ocellatus
- Seriously Fish — Ocellated shell-dweller species profile (listed as Neolamprologus ocellatus)
- Wikimedia Commons; Regani (photographer), later color adjustment by Togabi — Lamprologus ocellatus.jpg