{"product_id":"lamprologus-ocellatus-blue-lamprologus-ocellatus-blue","title":"Lamprologus ocellatus \"Blue\" | Lamprologus ocellatus 'Blue'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ocellatus shell-dweller in a cool blue strain — all attitude in a body under 6 cm. Give it sand and a scatter of shells and watch it rule its tiny kingdom. A brilliant, characterful Tanganyikan nano cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it patrols sandy substrates littered with empty snail shells in hard, very alkaline, warm and well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis strain shows a soft steel-blue sheen over the body with a pale eye-ring and delicate fin markings. A stocky, big-eyed little cichlid that props itself at the mouth of its shell, ready to dart in at any threat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pocket-sized powerhouse. Peaceful with fish that stay out of its zone, but intensely territorial around its shell, which it will defend against far larger intruders with comic bravado. Males hold the best shells; females take their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA micropredator. Feed small meaty foods — live or frozen brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia, chopped bloodworm — plus finely crushed quality pellets and flake. It is not a fussy eater.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive a soft sand bed at least 3–5 cm deep with several empty snail shells per fish, and hard, alkaline, warm water. Aragonite sand helps maintain high pH and hardness. Watch it excavate and rearrange its patch — half the fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA shell-spawner. The female lays deep inside her shell and guards the eggs and fry, while the male defends the wider territory. Easy to breed in hard, alkaline water with a good supply 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\u003eLamprologus ocellatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Ocellatus 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\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial around its shell; otherwise peaceful\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\u003e7.8–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–18 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 (e.g. small \u003cem\u003eCyprichromis\u003c\/em\u003e) in a larger tank. Keep tankmates off the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther shell-dwellers in cramped tanks, bottom-dwellers that compete for substrate, and soft-water community fish. Avoid low pH and soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232786268451,"sku":"AA3577-S","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232786301219,"sku":"AA3577","price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/lamprologus-ocellatus-blue-l-43880407466275.webp?v=1790305825","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lamprologus-ocellatus-blue-lamprologus-ocellatus-blue","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}