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Cichlids are a variety of tropical fish. This family is large, diverse, and widely dispersed, making it one of the largest vertebrate families. Many cichlids, particularly tilapia, are important food fishes, while others, such as the Cichla species, are valued game fish. The family also includes many popular freshwater aquarium fish.

One of the world’s smallest cichlid is the Neolamprologus multifasciatus, commonly called the Multi. Its natural habitat is the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. In the aquarium, males grow to 1.5 to 2 inches and females to only about an inch.

Their unique behavior is associated with their affinity to shells. They burrow sand to move the shells, take refuge in them, and also breed in the shell. Another nickname for them is Shellies, short for shell-dwellers.

Multis are harem spawners. A male will spawn with several females within his territory. Additionally, they are “step breeders” with multiple generations of fry existing in the same territory.

I’ve recently set up a new 29 gallon Multi tank with six fish. It has a sand substrate with escargot and shark eye snail shells. I’m anxious to see the colony grow!