Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: Gold Ocellatus Shell Dwellers are endemic to the sandy coastal waters of Lake Tanganyika in Africa. A more popular fish for seasoned cichlid hobbyists, Gold ocellatus shell dwellers are not overly aggressive though they are slightly more particular about water chemistry compared to some other shell dwellers. This species also exhibits some really cool behavior! As their name suggests, Gold ocellatus shell dwellers are shell brooders, meaning that they utilize empty snail shells as spawning and rearing sites. Territories for this species are extremely small, as it usually only includes a specific shell in which they have claimed but they will defend it vigorously. Females will bury a shell, except for the opening, and try to catch the attention of a male. Once she has, she will enter the shell to deposit her eggs and he will either join inside the shell if its large enough, or as she exits the shell, the male will release his sperm at the opening of the shell which will get pulled up into the shell by the act of the female exiting. After this, the male is no longer welcome near the shell and the female will sit on the shell’s opening fanning the eggs with her fins for the next 3 days until the eggs hatch. These larvae do not become free-swimming fry until about 10 days post hatch. A substrate-dwelling species, Gold ocellatus shell dwellers thrive best in an active community aquarium or a cichlid aquarium with like-species that exploit other areas of the aquarium; avoid large or aggressive species. Gold ocellatus shell dwellers have gold-yellow bodies with a blue sheen and a black spot behind the gill plate. Sexing small or juvenile Gold ocellatus shell dwellers can be difficult. Gold ocellatus shell dwellers are best kept in a group of several females with a single male, called a colony, or a single male-female pair. The number of shells provided in a Gold ocellatus shell dweller aquarium should well exceed the number of individuals. An adult male Gold ocellatus shell dweller will grow to approximately 2-1/2″, while females will grow to 1-1/2″.

Diet Requirements: A diet made up of various high quality protein based foods are ideal. Such options include frozen brine shrimp, calanus, daphnia and blood worms. Foods containing Spirulina algae are a plus. Gold ocellatus shell dwellers might accept sinking pellet foods and flake foods, but these should not make up the majority of their diet. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 20 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Gold ocellatus shell dwellers. Realistically with other tank mates, the minimum size tank would be that of 40 gallons or larger. Do not introduce Gold ocellatus shell dwellers into a biologically immatue aquarium. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters ideal (Nitrates < 20 ppm). The aquarium should have a finer substrate that is at least 2″ deep for digging and empty shells are absolutely needed for this species because shells are used as home refuges, not only as spawning sites. African cichlid specific substrates, or even a fine marine Aragonite substrate, are great choices because they will buffer the pH and alkalinity to levels characteristic of Lake Tanganyika that is needed for this species to thrive and spawn, if desired. Gold ocellatus shell dwellers very much prefer the water to hard and alkaline. Common tank mates for Gold ocellatus shell dwellers include Altolamprologus, Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, and other dwarf African cichlids from Malawi [note potential different water chemistry preferences, however; namely pH]. Compatability with other shell dweller species is variable but usually discouraged. Stacks of rocks may be required for some tank mates to set-up their own territories away from Gold ocellatus shell dwellers. While Gold ocellatus shell dwellers will not bother live plants, there are few that will thrive in the water parameters desired by this fish. Recommended water conditions, 72-82° F, KH 10-25, pH 7.5-9.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 3/4” or less; Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.