Mud Shell-dweller (L. signatus)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Lake Tanganyika (Southern Zambia). Unlike the coastal multifasciatus, this species inhabits very deep and dark muddy bottoms.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Mud-dwelling Shell Cichlid (Lamprologus signatus). Bullet-shaped profile (long and slender body) to slip horizontally into the mud. Closely related to the laparogramma.

Social Behavior: Is divided between compulsive excavation (creates huge valleys and U-shaped tubular tunnels in the sand) and the protection of the shell-cave hidden on the bottom. More peaceful than the fierce ocellatus.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silver-striped males (about 12-14 weak gray-brown vertical bands). Monochromatic females, lacking visible bands, but during the breeding season they display an exceptionally bright iridescent purple/bronze belly. Noticeably larger males.

Aquarium Setup: 60 cm (24 inches) aquarium. Omit superfluous furnishings; focus on at least 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) of very fine sand. Although in nature they use mud tunnels to breed, in the aquarium (sand being fragile) snail shells ("escargot") are the only guarantee of a stable nest.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore/Micro-predator. Likes tiny benthic crustaceans. To be fed copiously (2-3 times a day) with micro-pellets, decapsulated brine shrimp and frozen cyclops. In the tank, it rarely rises more than 5 cm (2 inches) from the bottom to feed.

Water Quality: Sensitive to temperature drops and debris accumulation, which in its typical tank tend to settle on the bottom. Light siphoning and alkaline chemistry (Tanganyika) are fundamental.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal in a monospecific aquarium. Possible to pair them with small fish that occupy the upper levels (Cyprichromis leptosoma). Mixing them with other bottom dwellers (e.g. Neolamprologus brichardi) means condemning the L. signatus to certain death.

Aquarium Reproduction: Male and female form pairs. Spawning takes place in secret (in the buried shell or in the sand tunnel). They are not good "collective" parents: as soon as a brood becomes independent, they will be driven away or devoured in view of a new spawning.

Risks and Diseases: Deadly landslides. If the sand bed contains gravel or is not "binding" enough, the deep tunnels of the signatus will collapse on it, fatally trapping it.