Signatus Shell-dweller (Neolamprologus signatus)

Signatus Shell-dweller Neolamprologus signatus
Name	Signatus Shell-dweller
Name Lat.	Neolamprologus signatus
Synonym	Lamprologus signatus
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Sandy intermediate zone
Diet	Carnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Simple
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	4-6 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	~ 120 l
US Units
Size	1.6"-2.4"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

The multi-striped dwarf cichlids are found exclusively (endemically) at Bwassa in the southwest of Lake Tanganyika. They live over sandy-muddy bottoms, where they inhabit self-dug tubes, with 1 cm diameter and up to 12 cm depth.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have large free sand areas, with a fine approx. 6 cm deep, graveable substrate of sand and provide sufficient swimming space. Stones, roots and plants provide hiding places and serve to separate territories.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and the oxygen content, a filter adapted to the aquarium size and a heater are required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

In nature they feed mainly on insects, insect larvae and plankton. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for Tanganyika cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, plankton, etc. (live or frozen)

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

This relatively peaceful species should be kept in pairs or in a group of 4-6 animals, with females predominating. They defend their living cave and the immediate surroundings vehemently. Keeping a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other small Lake Tanganyika cichlids

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are slightly larger than the females, which have a purple belly at spawning time.

Reproduction and breeding

They are pair-building, non-monogamous cave breeders that spawn in burrows they dig themselves. In the aquarium, they also accept snail shells, e.g. from the vine snail, or plastic tubes stuck diagonally into the sand. The female performs brood care, while the male defends the territory. The fry hatch after 2-3 days and swim free after 7-10 days. They are guarded for some time before the brood care ends

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii, microworms). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.

Important

If there are too few snail shells or tubes for the fish, they tend to burrow heavily.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF