Multies is a small shell-dwelling cichlid fish found only in Lake Tanganyika. It lives in large colonies in the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika.
This fish has a unique behavior related to its love for shells. Multies dig sand to move shells and use them as hiding places and breeding spots.
Each fish has its own shell and lives in big groups but pairs up within small territories. Pairs keep their shells close together. They eat plankton that drifts above their colony.
Multies Interesting Facts
- Multies is one of the smallest cichlid species, found only in Lake Tanganyika, Africa.
- These fish live in large colonies and use shells as hiding spots and breeding areas.
- Males grow up to 1.6 inches (4.0 centimeters) long in aquariums, while females reach 1.0 inch (2.5 centimeters); both have pale white bodies with black vertical stripes.
- They thrive in warm tropical waters with pH levels of 8.0 or higher and a hardness range of 15 to 25 dH.
Multies Habitat
Multies is a freshwater fish native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It lives near the bottom of the lake, usually at depths of 6 to 12 meters.
The preferred water conditions for this fish are a pH range of 8.0 or higher and a hardness (dH) range of 15 to 25.
It thrives in warm tropical waters with temperatures between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C), and is typically found between latitudes 3°S to 9°S.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | 15 to 25 dH |
Multies Physical Characteristics
Size: 1.6 inches (4.0 centimeters)
Multies is one of the smallest cichlid species in the world.
In aquariums, males grow up to 1.6 inches (4.0 centimeters) inches long, while females reach 1.0 inch (2.5 centimeters). In the wild, they are even smaller.
They have pale white bodies with black vertical stripes. It’s hard to tell males and females apart just by looking at them (though size can help when they’re adults).
Multies Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Neolamprologus |
| Scientific Name: | Neolamprologus multifasciatus |
| Also Known As: | Multies |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |