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Origin: Lake tanganjika

Etymology: Ocellatus refers to the spot on the gill cover.

Synonyms:Julidochromis ocellatus

First import:1979

Description:See pictures

Care: A 60 cm tank, with a 3-5 cm sandy soil, and some plants in the back of the tank. In the sand some snailshells should be present, which the fish use to hide in, and build a territorium around it. Waterconditions,, slightly alkaline, medium hard to hard water, well filtered, combined with regular waterchanges. Neolamprologus ocellatus can be kept in a species tank, or in a community tank with other cichlids. The territoria they form are small, but are fiercely defended against all other fish.

Temperature:22-25 degrees

Feeding: Only live food is accepted.

Size:Males up to 6 cm, females smaller, 3.5 cm

pH: 7.5-8.5

Breeding: If a male enters a territorium of a female which is ready to mate, she will take the initiative by poking him in the stomach with her mouth. Immediately afterwards she'll swim to her hole, and vanish almost completely in it. If the male is willing, he will follow her into the smailshell, and the couple will mate. Up to 30 eggs are produced, which will hatch in a day, and are free swimming after a week. The female will continue to care for the fry for another week, after which she or the fry should be removed. The fry can be fed on artemia nauplii and other small food.

Sexual dimorphism:Males are larger.

Prices:Netherlands: 10-15€.

Additional:

Picture references: All pictures: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)