Neolamprologus similis- Zebra Shell Dweller (1.5"-2")

Neolamprologus similis – Zebra Shell Dweller

The Neolamprologus similis, commonly called the Zebra Shell Dweller, is a small cichlid native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It gets its name from the distinct zebra-like vertical stripes that run across its body.

These fish are fascinating because they live and breed inside empty snail shells on sandy lake bottoms. They form colonies and display complex social behaviors, making them one of the most interesting Tanganyikan cichlids to keep.

Care Requirements

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive (territorial around shells)
• Diet: Carnivore/omnivore (small pellets, frozen foods, baby brine shrimp)
• Temperature: 75–80°F
• pH: 7.8–9.0
• Minimum Tank Size: 20–30 gallons
• Adult Size: 1.5–2 inches

Tank Setup

• Sandy substrate
• Plenty of snail shells for territory and breeding
• Small rock structures for additional cover

Neolamprologus similis often form colonies, with multiple fish living close together while defending their individual shells.

Notes:

Assortment includes a mix of colors and patterns; Exact colors and markings will vary; Stock photo used; fish received may differ. 🐟

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Domestic shipping only! Sorry, we cannot ship to anyone in Hawaii & Washington State.

We ship on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday via USPS Priority Mail. Once we get your order, we will ship it within 1 to 5 business days. For the safety of the animals, we do not ship aquatic life on Thursday and Friday. We do not want live aquatic animals sitting in USPS warehouse over the weekend. Thank you for your understanding.

Any orders placed before 12:00 PM on Tuesday will be shipped out that same week. orders placed after 12:00 PM on Tuesday will now be processed the following week

Male/Female: Will be picked at random (no custom orders)

Note: color may be slightly off from photo.

We placed a penny at the corner of the tank so you can have an idea of the size of the fish.

Guaranteed to arrive alive you have one hour of delivery to report any death. You must take a picture while the fish is dead in the bag before it’s opened.

Fish’s color might be off first 3 days due to shipping and stressed fish.

we do not refund shipping costs