Lamprologus ocellatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lamprologus ocellatus |
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Lamprologus
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| Species: |
ocellatus
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The Lamprologus ocellatus is a super cool type of cichlid fish. It's known as a "shell dweller" because it lives inside empty snail shells! You can only find this fish in Lake Tanganyika, a huge lake in Africa. People love to keep these small, smart, and pretty fish in their home aquariums.
When they first hatch, baby Lamprologus ocellatus are tiny, only about 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long. Grown-up fish can reach about 5.8 centimetres (2.3 in) in total length. Their colors can be light brown, gold, or even yellow. Just like all shell dwellers, they make their homes in snail shells. They often live together in groups, raising their young right inside these cozy shell homes.
You can tell the difference between male and female Lamprologus ocellatus. Males are usually bigger and have a bright yellow edge on their top fin, called the dorsal fin.
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Caring for Lamprologus ocellatus in an Aquarium
Lamprologus ocellatus are known as African Cichlids in the fish-keeping world. They are not the easiest fish to care for, so they are usually kept by people who have more experience with fish from Lake Tanganyika.
Setting Up Their Tank
You can keep Lamprologus ocellatus in aquariums as small as 5 gallons (19 L). But remember, a bigger tank means you can have more fish! It's important to give each fish at least one empty snail shell. You should also add a thin layer of fine sand at the bottom of the tank. While sand isn't a must for them to survive, it lets them act naturally. These fish use their tails to bury their shells, which they can't do with heavy, large gravel.
These fish are not usually aggressive in an aquarium. However, they will protect their shell homes. They might even try to "attack" your hand if you put it too close to their territory!
Water Quality for Healthy Fish
Lamprologus ocellatus need specific water conditions, just like other fish from Lake Tanganyika. The water's pH level should be at least 8.0 to 8.3. (In Lake Tanganyika, the pH is even higher, from 8.7 to 9.4!) The water's mineral hardness, called kH, should be between 12 and 14. The temperature of the water should be between 23–27 °C (73–81 °F).
Like all fish from Lake Tanganyika, L. ocellatus are very sensitive to bad water. Things like ammonia or nitrite in the water can make them sick or even kill them. So, it's super important to keep their tank clean and use good filtration.
What to Feed Your L. ocellatus
L. ocellatus are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. They will eat many types of fish food, like flakes, small pellets, frozen foods, and live foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia. If you get new fish and they don't want to eat, try tempting them with live food.
When feeding them, follow the same rules as for other African Cichlids.
- Never give them Tubifex worms, as these can cause serious sickness.
- Avoid diets that are too high in protein or don't have any vegetables.
- Feed them only as much as they can eat in five minutes. Don't overfeed!
- Giving them one day a week without food can help their digestion.
- Foods with beta-carotene and canthaxanthin can help keep their colors bright and beautiful.
Choosing Tankmates Wisely
It's really important not to keep L. ocellatus with fish that are aggressive, much bigger, or that might try to eat them. Because they are so small, they could easily get eaten or picked on. You also shouldn't keep them with Mbuna, which are larger cichlids from nearby Lake Malawi. The best tankmates are other fish that naturally live in the same type of environment as L. ocellatus. Good choices include different kinds of Julidochromis, Cyprichromis, and Synodontis fish.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
You can breed L. ocellatus in a home aquarium! Male Lamprologus ocellatus will mate with more than one female. They lay their eggs inside or very close to the female's shell. The eggs usually hatch in about three days. The baby fish, called fry, will be swimming freely about one week later. You can feed the tiny fry with baby brine shrimp using a turkey baster.
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
