Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Parameter dashboard
24-27 °C
7.5-9
4.5 cm
Care guide
Neolamprologus multifasciatus, commonly known as the multies or multi-shell-dweller, is a tiny cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Males reach only 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and females 3.5 cm (1.4 in), making them one of the smallest cichlid species in the world. Their elongated bodies are marked with numerous vertical bars (hence multifasciatus = many bands), and they have developed one of the most fascinating breeding strategies in the aquarium hobby: obligate shell-brooding using empty snail shells.
A pair can be housed in a tank as small as 40 L (11 gal), though a colony requires more space. The essential ingredient is a sandy substrate at least 5 cm deep, covered generously with empty escargot or similar snail shells. Females claim individual shells, bury them until only the entrance is visible, and use them as both home and spawning site. Water should be hard and alkaline: pH 7.5-9.0, temperature 24-27C (75-81F), with a hardness of 8-25 dH. Live and frozen foods should form the bulk of the diet, though quality dried foods are also accepted.
Multies are territorial around their shells but can be combined with open-water Tanganyikan species such as Cyprichromis or other shell-dwellers in larger tanks. Given enough shells and a balanced male-to-female ratio (more females), they will form a thriving colony with several generations living together. Spawning occurs inside the shell: the female deposits eggs, backs out, and the male releases sperm that is drawn in by the exiting female. Eggs hatch in about 24 hours, and the female guards the fry for several weeks. These endlessly entertaining fish are ideal for anyone interested in African cichlid behaviour without needing a massive tank.
Sources
- seriouslyfish.com — https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/neolamprologus-multifasciatus/
- en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolamprologus_multifasciatus
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biajaca Nandopsis tetracanthus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Firemouth cichlid Thorichthys meeki Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Cap Caudopunctatus Neolamprologus caudopunctatus Caution | Caution | the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Greenstreaked eartheater Biotodoma cupido Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Haitian cichlid Nandopsis haitiensis Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Red Spotted Severum Heros efasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Rio Grande cichlid Herichthys cyanoguttatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Temporaris Shell Dweller Telmatochromis temporalis Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Venustus Cichlid Nimbochromis venustus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Yellow belly cichlid Cichlasoma salvini Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Chessboard cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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