Neolamprologus similis
Neolamprologus similis is a shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa, where it is only known along the shores of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. N. similis is copper-coloured with vertical white stripes running from the head to the base of the tail. It can reach up to 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in total length, and it is a popular freshwater aquarium fish.[1]
| Neolamprologus similis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Neolamprologus |
| Species: | N. similis |
| Binomial name | |
| Neolamprologus similis Büscher, 1992 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Lamprologus similis (Büscher, 1992) | |
Breeding habits
This fish is monomorphic: males and females are not visually different (males are bigger) and form small colonies or harems—depending on available space—in which the male fry are tolerated until they become active competitors of the male. Female fry are not only tolerated but are eventually courted as mates. The females also are objects of interest to neighboring males and may be targets of theft.
The male of the harem goes to great lengths in protecting his territory from intruders (other males) and all members of the harem do their best (and it is much, considering their size) to protect the fry: similis will face fish as big as a Tropheus—if the latter become too curious—and will escape into their shells in a blink of an eye if the threat is deemed serious.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neolamprologus similis. |
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2020). "Neolamprologus similis" in FishBase. December 2020 version.