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Gold Ocellatus
Neolamprologus ocellatus
📍 Lake Tanganyika, Africa
Neolamprologus ocellatus, commonly known as the Gold Ocellatus or Ocellated Lamprologus, is a small cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. These diminutive fish are famous for their shell-dwelling behavior, requiring empty snail shells for shelter and breeding. They are peaceful, hardy, and ideal for specialized shell-dwelling aquascapes.
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Care Guide
Diet
Feed small foods such as micro pellets, crushed flakes, and small live foods like brine shrimp or daphnia. Offer vegetable matter occasionally. Feed once or twice daily in small amounts that can be consumed within a few minutes.
Behavior
Gold Ocellatus are bottom-dwelling shell dwellers that spend most of their time in and around empty snail shells (Neothauma shells are ideal). They are relatively peaceful but territorial around their shells. They exhibit interesting breeding and nesting behaviors, with pairs defending their shell territory.
Breeding
Shell dwellers breed readily in aquaria when provided with suitable empty shells. Pairs will occupy a shell and lay eggs inside; the female guards the brood while the male defends the territory. Fry emerge from the shell after 2-3 weeks and can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that occupy different water zones
Algae eater that stays on bottom without competing for shells
May be predated upon; use with caution in smaller tanks
Small shrimp may be eaten; monitor closely
Tiny, peaceful fish that will not compete with shell dwellers
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication as directed
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove sharp decorations, use antibacterial medication if severe
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform daily water changes, maintain excellent water quality, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites, clamped fins
Use antiparasitic medication, increase water changes, quarantine affected fish if possible
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - small crustaceans, insect larvae, and vegetable matter
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 3 cm (1.2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.5-8.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 10-20 dGH
- temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)