Fin's Fish Guide
The Shell-dwelling cichlid (Lamprologus callipterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, on sandy and muddy bottoms with empty snail shells.
Description
The shell-dwelling cichlid is a cichlid of Lake Tanganyika notable for an extreme size difference between the sexes: the male reaches about 12 cm while the female stays only a few centimetres. The body is golden-yellow with a silvery-grey sheen. The male collects empty snail shells and builds large nests of them, in which the small females lay their eggs and guard the young - one of the best-known examples of shell-brooding in fishes. The species lives in groups over sand and mud bottoms and eats small crustaceans, insect larvae and small fish. Because of this remarkable behaviour it is popular with cichlid keepers and much studied by biologists.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Shell-dwelling cichlid?
The Shell-dwelling cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Tanganyika cichlid with an extreme size difference between the sexes; the male collects empty snail shells in which the much smaller females spawn.
Where does the Shell-dwelling cichlid live?
The Shell-dwelling cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, on sandy and muddy bottoms with empty snail shells.
How big does the Shell-dwelling cichlid get?
The Shell-dwelling cichlid grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.
Is the Shell-dwelling cichlid dangerous to humans?
No, the Shell-dwelling cichlid is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Shell-dwelling cichlid edible?
The Shell-dwelling cichlid is not usually eaten.
More photos
Want the complete picture on the Shell-dwelling cichlid?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shell-dwelling cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lamprologus
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Shell-dwelling cichlid?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shell-dwelling cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.