Care
The Ocellatus Shelldweller is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. In the wild, a harem of females is served by a single male. His territory will include several small empty Neothauma tanganyicense snail shells, in which he entices females to come and take up residence. Unlike the colonial shell dwellers, males defend a patch that includes scattered shells inhabited by females within their own territories. Males often bury spare shells until a single female arrives in search of a new home. The females will spend much of their time in their individual shell; indeed it is here that each female will rest, retreat to when necessary, spawn and raise her young. The tank itself does not have to be particularly large for a pair but extra females will require their shells to be a significant distance apart. The aquarium must have a soft sand substrate in which the fish will bury their shells to hide their homes from other cichlids. Offer a selection of widely-spaced empty snail shells (escargot shells are usually quickly approved of). Clean water is essential, so be sure to carry out plenty of regular partial water changes. These fish can be sensitive to changes in conditions, so it is best to ensure that the new water is of the same temperature as the tank, and should be added slowly. In larger aquaria, these fish may be kept with other small and relatively peaceful Tanganyikan cichlids, especially if adjacent habitats such as rockpiles are thoughtfully positioned, as these are (fiesty!) fish of open sand habitat. This fish naturally occurs in a number of colour forms and the 'Gold' population is the one most frequently seen in stores. Avoid mixing these forms.
Feeding
Foods should be of an appropriately small size. Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brineshrimp, and cyclops.
Breeding
It may not be obvious that your Ocellatus Shelldwellers have spawned until fry are seen at the entrance of their shell. Sometimes, an early indicator that a pair is getting ready to spawn is an increase in digging activity around the shell. The eggs (which may number between 20-50) will be laid and fertilised within the shell, and afterwards, the female stays just inside the shell entrance and guards them. At this time, the male usually defends the perimeter of the shell pit/crater against any possible predators (whether they are present in the tank or not). After 7-10 days, the fry will begin to venture out of the shell, darting quickly back in if they feel threatened.
