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Brevis shell-dweller (Neolamprologus brevis) — Cichlidae

Brevis shell-dweller

Neolamprologus brevis
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brevis shell-dweller (Neolamprologus brevis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Neolamprologus brevis is a very small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species reaches only about 5 cm and has a fusiform, yellow-brown body with faint bars. It lives on sandy bottoms strewn with empty snail shells and uses such a shell as shelter and breeding chamber; often a pair shares a single shell. Its diet consists of small zooplankton picked from the water. The species is a substrate spawner that tends its brood inside the shell. It is harmless to humans and popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brevis shell-dweller?

The Brevis shell-dweller has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Brevis shell-dweller live?

The Brevis shell-dweller lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Brevis shell-dweller get?

The Brevis shell-dweller grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Brevis shell-dweller dangerous to humans?

No, the Brevis shell-dweller is harmless to humans.

Is the Brevis shell-dweller edible?

The Brevis shell-dweller is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slakkenhuiscichlide sourced
English name
Brevis shell-dweller sourced
Scientific name
Neolamprologus brevis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Neolamprologus

More from the family Cichlidae

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