Escargot Shells Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/2JTr2HR If you want more information on tank mates for Neolamprologus similis check out the species profiles below! Neolamprologus brichardi: th-cam.com/video/ZtjppFAhxF8/w-d-xo.html Cyprichromis leptosoma: th-cam.com/video/_MTq01SOC_8/w-d-xo.html Bristlenose Pleco: th-cam.com/video/RRt_tjOKY84/w-d-xo.html Want to learn more about shell dwellers? Check out these videos too! How to set-up a shell dweller tank: th-cam.com/video/IS1_U78x-bo/w-d-xo.html Neolamprologus multifasciatus: th-cam.com/video/LymOSgIcDss/w-d-xo.html Lamprologus ocellatus: th-cam.com/video/tqAOrEA6fyw/w-d-xo.html
In Sydney Australia it was a effort to find these, but finally got my hands on them and love them. my colony has now bred several times so I will be looking to spread these little gems out for others to enjoy as much as i do. Great Video thanks
Great information! I've had a "breeding colony" of these guys for about a year and a half and I totally agree with most of the information here. One thing I'd like to add is that these guys love digging in sand and moving shells around. It's super important to put the rock work into the aquarium BEFORE the substrate. They can move much more substrate than you'd think in a much shorter time that you might imagine. This applies more to larger, more intricate rock work, especially stacks, than it does a few smaller rocks strewn about the tank.
Jason, I lost count on how many times I have viewed this video. I’m in the process of setting up a 180gal biotope tank focuses on one of the shell dwellers. I can’t thank you enough for all the information you have shared through your videos. I can’t wait until I’m closer to getting my tank ready and would love to have the opportunity to reach out to you for some input. Best regards, Tom
Thank you for all your info, I got into the multis and the similis because of all your videos. Thank you for all your videos. I would love a t shirt were do I get one from.
I setup my first Neolamprologus similis tank and I am excited to see if they get to breeding. The fish were pretty pricy at my LFS so I only got 3 which gives me about a 75% chance of having a male and female. I have been watching them for about two weeks now and I am curious if there is any way to tell once eggs have been laid or if there are any breeding behaviors to keep an eye out for. I have a species only tank in a 20g long for them.
I concur, Tropheus is much more sensitive, and my brother had great succes with them in 7,1 from the tap, of course something to take away the chlorine. But that was it. And he had F1 Tropheus Ikola...
I kept similis with Tropheus duboisi "Maswa" for several years, and both species bred wonderfully. I wouldn't trust this small of a fish with a more aggressive Tropheus, though, and I had probably 400-500 shells in several piles as well as several very large clumps of java fern for shelter. N. similis is my favouite fish I've ever kept- their colony is like a constant soap opera!
Setting up a 75 gal. 60lbs of stone so tons of hiding places. Would this be a good community? 6 transcriptus 6 simillis 8 cyprichromis 1 bristlenose pleco? Gonna have a Fx6 on there so tons of filtration for any future fry they make it
Man, your videos are so great sir! Total cichlid noob, shell dwellers so cool though! Would the similis be the most colourful option for a 32? It's a tall tank too ..tankmates? Those yellow/blue sexually dimorphic fish (can't remember the name, saw them on your channel!) Could go with them? 32.5 fluval flex?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome! Not sure I'll go in this direction at all yet (tropical community is all I know, but, dem colours tho...) Have you seen the filter setup on the 32 flex? Feel like I could split the tank, keep something tiny in the right quarter and still have ok swimming space in the remaining, and the filtration takes care of both with 0 customisation? ....madness incoming, methinks! Pea puffers and community tank? Male Betta with sorority? Would there be a cichlid option here? Pair of shell dwellers in the 10 gallons...any options for the other section?
Have 7 Similis in a 40 Breeder 5m:2f. Two breeding groups 1m:1f and 1m:4F. There is a rock formation separating the two groups. The 1m:1f couple is more laid back and has more fry survive. The 1m:4f has a lot more tension and where the male is is consistent darting toward the females chasing them into their shells. Less survivable fry on this bigger side of the tank. 1F in that group no longer produces fry because of the stress and aggression of the male and closest female. Should I add another full grown male to possible break up the 1m:4m group. Thanks for any advice. Love your videos.
I see you have ramshorn in the tank with them. Do they tend to leave the snails alone? I'm setting up a N. Similis tank and am curious if I could keep some snails in there. Most of the info I've seen (including your mystery snail video) say to not keep snails with cichlids. Thanks!
For some reason they left two large mystery snails alone, but they usually eat snails. Those got in there because they escaped their breeding tank above. Haha
my two Neolamprologus similis have stopped eating, I introduced live baby brine shimp they ate it once. Then boom they stopped, 5 days now haven't ate. I can see their stomachs they starting to look Anorexic. Is this a breeding behavior before they start to spawn? They don't act sick at all, and play with each other they just wont eat. Tried several different things. They look perfect except their stomachs.
I haven't noticed mine ever stop eating - especially LBB. You could try some chopped bloodworms - some times that's a little easier to see if they are actually eating. If they don't eat, they may have some type of parasite.
Prime Time Aquatics I have seen a lot of parasites in my fish keeping years never seen one that you can’t see any effects on outside. Maybe internal worms
Another great video mate i really like them on the black substrate really helps show the other colors while I still prefer multis though lol but no shock there Oh i completely forgot to show you my new shell dweller ill send you a photo in a bit they were a bit pricey but bought 6 to start with
@@PrimeTimeAquatics yeah i couldn't believe i actually found them and they shipped them to me even individually bagged all 6 i was extremely pleased well worth the higher price tag he is going to try to source caudopunctatus redfin for me as well
I am starting a 29 gallon w these guys, starting w 6. I clicked on the link above on the other video. Cyprichromis leptosoma but I think a 29 gallon would be too small for 2 of them? Is there another species from that lake that doesnt get too big that would swim in water column? Thanks Love your videos!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yup, you were definitely right, there are more than 3 not really sure how many, but I noticed today one of the female laid eggs on the glass, I'm not sure if its fertilized, is there anything I can do ?? When there's more than 20+ shells for trio why did she lay it on glass ?! Thanx for the help !
I tend to enjoy Turbo Snail shells in my shellie tanks as well. I was blessed to find them for a dime a piece at a LFS in my area. I've found that with some of the more "finicky" shellies, a little bit of algae really helps with breeding.
*How long does it take to get these guys to breed? I´ve got a trio of N. Similis in my 15gal for two days now and I´m really looking forward to breed them!
How would a single male do in a community tank? 60 gallon with an electric blue acara, bolivain ram (both male/juveniles), a group of adult/juvenile red-wagged platies, 2 dwarf honey gourami, and a (12”) 15 year old docile common pleco. Sounds like a tall order, but I provide plenty of hiding areas for territory claim. I don’t look to breed, just enjoy a colorful fish. Regardless of having a single non-breeding male, (if you find this environment proper so he can thrive) would I need to provide shells? Great vid as always, thx Jason!
It's hard to say. Obviously, water parameters should be close to what they like. My guess is he'd probably be pretty reclusive in a set-up with those fish and on his own?
Prime Time Aquatics Thx for the reply! I’m going to continue my research on these little guys. The males are beautiful, but if he’s reclusive due to his tankmates and simply not because it’s natural, then I won’t adopt one and not allow him to thrive. Hope that made sense, sometimes I ramble. Anyhow, you provide sound advice about cichlids. Maybe we’ll meet at a convention one day! Thanks again, Jason!
Yo I've been binge watching your channel for over a month. I got a 40 breeder like two weeks ago I'm just sitting on it watching and gathering ideas. Could you do a spotlight on the regular acara (andinoacara) if I'm not mistaken. I already have some I either wanna throw them in there or do a shelly colony, but I can't find anything on them on TH-cam worthy anything as actually learning
Thanks for watching! So, I actually don't have any of the regular acara right now. They tend to be a little more aggressive than the EBA. Either fish would be cool though!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics yeah the dominant pair will not tolerate any other fish in the tank with it that I'm aware of(tried bigger pleco, and female convict. But they're so different than anything else Im watching as of late. Ive even sifted the central room tours to peep an andinoacara tank. Hm. No problem. I have a son too and this all started with 4 goldfish he won now I've taken in adoptees and its grown on me. You and the team are doing tremendous. Make sure you let em know all their hard work doesnt go unnoticed sir. Much love to you and yours from me and mine
Males will have a somewhat thicker body than the females. The males will also be bigger. It's harder to see when they are young but once they are grown a little, it's quite easy to see the difference.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 91 | คู่เอก "คมอาวุธ vs อเล็กเซย์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V0RkEfYFsgM/mqdefault.jpg)
Escargot Shells Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/2JTr2HR
If you want more information on tank mates for Neolamprologus similis check out the species profiles below!
Neolamprologus brichardi: th-cam.com/video/ZtjppFAhxF8/w-d-xo.html
Cyprichromis leptosoma: th-cam.com/video/_MTq01SOC_8/w-d-xo.html
Bristlenose Pleco: th-cam.com/video/RRt_tjOKY84/w-d-xo.html
Want to learn more about shell dwellers? Check out these videos too!
How to set-up a shell dweller tank: th-cam.com/video/IS1_U78x-bo/w-d-xo.html
Neolamprologus multifasciatus: th-cam.com/video/LymOSgIcDss/w-d-xo.html
Lamprologus ocellatus: th-cam.com/video/tqAOrEA6fyw/w-d-xo.html
In Sydney Australia it was a effort to find these, but finally got my hands on them and love them.
my colony has now bred several times so I will be looking to spread these little gems out for others to enjoy as much as i do.
Great Video thanks
Great information! I've had a "breeding colony" of these guys for about a year and a half and I totally agree with most of the information here. One thing I'd like to add is that these guys love digging in sand and moving shells around. It's super important to put the rock work into the aquarium BEFORE the substrate. They can move much more substrate than you'd think in a much shorter time that you might imagine. This applies more to larger, more intricate rock work, especially stacks, than it does a few smaller rocks strewn about the tank.
Very nice suggestion!
Your information is priceless! I always learn something new. I'm really loving these shell dwellers and am considering trying them! 🐚❤️🐠
Thank you so much! They are totally worth a try. : -)
Jason, I lost count on how many times I have viewed this video. I’m in the process of setting up a 180gal biotope tank focuses on one of the shell dwellers. I can’t thank you enough for all the information you have shared through your videos. I can’t wait until I’m closer to getting my tank ready and would love to have the opportunity to reach out to you for some input. Best regards, Tom
Hey Tom! That's going to be an awesome tank! Enjoy the process. : -)
Thank you for all your info, I got into the multis and the similis because of all your videos. Thank you for all your videos. I would love a t shirt were do I get one from.
awesome vid
I wonder how many takes it took to start this video lol, a bloopers video would be fun to watch :) What gorgeous little shell dwellers.
I setup my first Neolamprologus similis tank and I am excited to see if they get to breeding. The fish were pretty pricy at my LFS so I only got 3 which gives me about a 75% chance of having a male and female. I have been watching them for about two weeks now and I am curious if there is any way to tell once eggs have been laid or if there are any breeding behaviors to keep an eye out for. I have a species only tank in a 20g long for them.
Don't sweat the pH, they breed just fine at 7+ - aim for stability instead of high pH
I concur, Tropheus is much more sensitive, and my brother had great succes with them in 7,1 from the tap, of course something to take away the chlorine. But that was it. And he had F1 Tropheus Ikola...
Hi Jason are they rams horn snails in the tank? I wanted to get something to help with the tank cleaning.
There are, but they often don't last long once the colony gets established - they get eaten. Bristlenose plecos often do better.
Well. Got to the end or the video. Ha. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for watching!
I kept similis with Tropheus duboisi "Maswa" for several years, and both species bred wonderfully. I wouldn't trust this small of a fish with a more aggressive Tropheus, though, and I had probably 400-500 shells in several piles as well as several very large clumps of java fern for shelter. N. similis is my favouite fish I've ever kept- their colony is like a constant soap opera!
@@gasp5027 Single T duboisi are a different animal than a shoal, especially if male! lol
Beautiful video with great information. I should have got these or multis instead of my Great White ocellatus.
All of them are cool!
Lovely! You might add that they are slow Growers like most tanganyikan cichlids, since most people receive quarter-inch tiny babies.
Ya, they take a while. : -)
Setting up a 75 gal. 60lbs of stone so tons of hiding places. Would this be a good community?
6 transcriptus
6 simillis
8 cyprichromis
1 bristlenose pleco?
Gonna have a Fx6 on there so tons of filtration for any future fry they make it
Yes!
what brand of black sand do you use?
Usually top fin or caribsea.
Man, your videos are so great sir! Total cichlid noob, shell dwellers so cool though! Would the similis be the most colourful option for a 32? It's a tall tank too ..tankmates? Those yellow/blue sexually dimorphic fish (can't remember the name, saw them on your channel!) Could go with them? 32.5 fluval flex?
In a 32 gallon I would probably keep the similis on their own. Similis do great on dark substrate where the multis look better on lighter substrate.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome! Not sure I'll go in this direction at all yet (tropical community is all I know, but, dem colours tho...)
Have you seen the filter setup on the 32 flex? Feel like I could split the tank, keep something tiny in the right quarter and still have ok swimming space in the remaining, and the filtration takes care of both with 0 customisation?
....madness incoming, methinks! Pea puffers and community tank? Male Betta with sorority?
Would there be a cichlid option here? Pair of shell dwellers in the 10 gallons...any options for the other section?
Hello Jason great video. Would black diamond blasting sand work for Similis ?
Yes, I know a few people who have that mix and it works just fine for them.
👍👌
Does the population naturally stagnate at any point, once the colony reaches a certain size?
It usually does based on the number of shells available.
I went to my LFS yesterday and picked up 4 more what I thought was neolamprologus similis body was neolamprologus multifasciatus
Still a cool fish!
Have 7 Similis in a 40 Breeder 5m:2f. Two breeding groups 1m:1f and 1m:4F. There is a rock formation separating the two groups. The 1m:1f couple is more laid back and has more fry survive. The 1m:4f has a lot more tension and where the male is is consistent darting toward the females chasing them into their shells. Less survivable fry on this bigger side of the tank. 1F in that group no longer produces fry because of the stress and aggression of the male and closest female. Should I add another full grown male to possible break up the 1m:4m group. Thanks for any advice. Love your videos.
I think that could certainly help!
I see you have ramshorn in the tank with them. Do they tend to leave the snails alone? I'm setting up a N. Similis tank and am curious if I could keep some snails in there. Most of the info I've seen (including your mystery snail video) say to not keep snails with cichlids. Thanks!
For some reason they left two large mystery snails alone, but they usually eat snails. Those got in there because they escaped their breeding tank above. Haha
my two Neolamprologus similis have stopped eating, I introduced live baby brine shimp they ate it once. Then boom they stopped, 5 days now haven't ate. I can see their stomachs they starting to look Anorexic. Is this a breeding behavior before they start to spawn? They don't act sick at all, and play with each other they just wont eat. Tried several different things. They look perfect except their stomachs.
I haven't noticed mine ever stop eating - especially LBB. You could try some chopped bloodworms - some times that's a little easier to see if they are actually eating. If they don't eat, they may have some type of parasite.
Prime Time Aquatics I have seen a lot of parasites in my fish keeping years never seen one that you can’t see any effects on outside. Maybe internal worms
Where can I buy Neothauma Tanganicensis?
Maybe Aquabid?
Would eco complete band be okay as a substrate?
I would probably go with a more inert sand or even a African buffer mix.
Another great video mate i really like them on the black substrate really helps show the other colors while I still prefer multis though lol but no shock there
Oh i completely forgot to show you my new shell dweller ill send you a photo in a bit they were a bit pricey but bought 6 to start with
Awesome!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics yeah i couldn't believe i actually found them and they shipped them to me even individually bagged all 6 i was extremely pleased well worth the higher price tag
he is going to try to source caudopunctatus redfin for me as well
I am starting a 29 gallon w these guys, starting w 6. I clicked on the link above on the other video. Cyprichromis leptosoma but I think a 29 gallon would be too small for 2 of them? Is there another species from that lake that doesnt get too big that would swim in water column? Thanks Love your videos!
Possibly a few Brichardi, but they may fight with the multis if they are both breeding.
Prime Time Aquatics you got a video on them? About to google them. If they breed in rock, maybe one side of tank can do the rock
They generally do. I don't have a species profile on them yet, but they might be in my 55 gallon stocking ideas video?
I've a trio, they bred and I could see only 3 fries.... Is this common ? I was expecting more... Just 3 was disappointing.
Ya, that is normal at first. There will most likely be more soon. :-)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yup, you were definitely right, there are more than 3 not really sure how many, but I noticed today one of the female laid eggs on the glass, I'm not sure if its fertilized, is there anything I can do ?? When there's more than 20+ shells for trio why did she lay it on glass ?! Thanx for the help !
Can I put a couple of the similis and multis together? I'm not trying to breed them. Although, I heard they're able to cross breed?
Ya they will hybridize, which would be bad.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics hey thanks for the reply Jason. I'll be sure to not have them together then.
The turbo shells from myaquariumbox last longer in the shell dweller tank and don’t seem to grow algae as quickly
I've had escargot shells in the tank for years and they are still ok. Plus, they are super cheap on Amazon!
Prime Time Aquatics mine always start to dissolve after 6-9months maybe your water is harder then mine
Ahhh, that could very well be!
I tend to enjoy Turbo Snail shells in my shellie tanks as well. I was blessed to find them for a dime a piece at a LFS in my area. I've found that with some of the more "finicky" shellies, a little bit of algae really helps with breeding.
What do you feed them? Just got some in the mail and not wanting them to starve :(
How'd it go?
*How long does it take to get these guys to breed? I´ve got a trio of N. Similis in my 15gal for two days now and I´m really looking forward to breed them!
If they are full grown adults it may take them a few weeks to settle in. You could potentially start seeing the babies with 4-6 weeks. Good luck!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thanks man! Love your videos Prime Time Aquatics!
I have no idea why but I like these so much more than multis. Something about their appearance made me pay 10€ more per fish than multis😂
How would a single male do in a community tank? 60 gallon with an electric blue acara, bolivain ram (both male/juveniles), a group of adult/juvenile red-wagged platies, 2 dwarf honey gourami, and a (12”) 15 year old docile common pleco. Sounds like a tall order, but I provide plenty of hiding areas for territory claim. I don’t look to breed, just enjoy a colorful fish. Regardless of having a single non-breeding male, (if you find this environment proper so he can thrive) would I need to provide shells? Great vid as always, thx Jason!
It's hard to say. Obviously, water parameters should be close to what they like. My guess is he'd probably be pretty reclusive in a set-up with those fish and on his own?
Prime Time Aquatics Thx for the reply! I’m going to continue my research on these little guys. The males are beautiful, but if he’s reclusive due to his tankmates and simply not because it’s natural, then I won’t adopt one and not allow him to thrive. Hope that made sense, sometimes I ramble. Anyhow, you provide sound advice about cichlids. Maybe we’ll meet at a convention one day! Thanks again, Jason!
I hope to see you at one in the future!
Yo I've been binge watching your channel for over a month. I got a 40 breeder like two weeks ago I'm just sitting on it watching and gathering ideas. Could you do a spotlight on the regular acara (andinoacara) if I'm not mistaken. I already have some I either wanna throw them in there or do a shelly colony, but I can't find anything on them on TH-cam worthy anything as actually learning
Thanks for watching! So, I actually don't have any of the regular acara right now. They tend to be a little more aggressive than the EBA. Either fish would be cool though!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics yeah the dominant pair will not tolerate any other fish in the tank with it that I'm aware of(tried bigger pleco, and female convict. But they're so different than anything else Im watching as of late. Ive even sifted the central room tours to peep an andinoacara tank. Hm. No problem. I have a son too and this all started with 4 goldfish he won now I've taken in adoptees and its grown on me. You and the team are doing tremendous. Make sure you let em know all their hard work doesnt go unnoticed sir. Much love to you and yours from me and mine
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Males will have a somewhat thicker body than the females. The males will also be bigger. It's harder to see when they are young but once they are grown a little, it's quite easy to see the difference.
First
2nd