{"product_id":"lamprologus-brevis-sunspot-lamprologus-brevis-sunspot","title":"Lamprologus brevis \"Sunspot\" | Neolamprologus brevis 'Sunspot'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike most shell-dwellers, Brevis pairs share a single shell — a charming oddity of a fish dotted, in this 'Sunspot' form, with glints of sunset colour. A characterful Tanganyikan nano cichlid that stays under 6 cm, perfect for a dedicated sand-and-shell tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives over sandy beds scattered with empty snail shells in hard, very alkaline, warm and oxygen-rich water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky little cichlid with a blunt, bulldog face and rows of shimmering spots along the flanks; the 'Sunspot' form shows warm golden-orange speckling and fin edging. Males are a touch larger than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards other fish but fiercely protective of its shell, defending a small territory around it. Uniquely, a bonded pair will share and live in a single shell as a monogamous couple — endearing to watch in a species tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA micropredator. Offer small meaty foods — live or frozen brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia and finely crushed quality pellets or flake. Sinking foods that reach its patch of sand work best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a soft sand bed at least 3–5 cm deep with a good choice of empty snail shells (escargot shells are ideal), plus hard, alkaline, warm water. Aragonite sand helps hold pH and hardness high. A small footprint suits a pair well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA shell-spawner. The female lays inside the shared shell for the male to fertilise, then guards the eggs and fry within; the tiny young hover near the shell mouth. Easy to breed given clean, hard water and plenty of shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeolamprologus brevis (syn. Lamprologus brevis)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSunspot Brevis Shell-Dweller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5–6 cm (females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; territorial around its shell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicropredator (small live\/frozen foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners; Tanganyikan species and nano shell-dweller tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — sand-and-shell setups; it digs but ignores plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest in a species tank, or with peaceful upper-level Tanganyikans such as small \u003cem\u003eCyprichromis\u003c\/em\u003e in a larger tank. Keep tankmates that leave the substrate to the brevis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther shell-dwellers in a small tank, bottom-dwelling or boisterous fish that compete for the sand, and soft-water community species. Avoid low pH and low hardness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232785285411,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232785318179,"sku":"BA8690","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Brevis_Shelldweller_Sunspot_Neolamprologus_brevis_Sunspot_e691d323-31fc-4f08-a8b5-9054e7bfb863.jpg?v=1781446644","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lamprologus-brevis-sunspot-lamprologus-brevis-sunspot","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}