Neolamprologus multifasciatus, sometimes placed in the genus Lamprologus, is another of the Tanganyikan snails. Its name means “many-banded”, referring to its numerous bands. In English, this snail is popularly called Multis or Multies. For a considerable period of time, this fish was thought to be the smallest cichlid (it is now apparently a species of L. brevis). They often live in the same territory as the formidable specimens of Cyphotilapia frontosa. In fact, these fish are so undemanding and their ability to survive is so great that aquarists routinely keep them in large “frontosa” aquariums. Neolamprologus multifasciatus breed easily in the aquarium.
Of all the snails, this species is probably the most common. When choosing the smallest and largest of the group, you are likely to choose a female and a male. My personal suspicion is that, as with “brevis”, the male sex of multis can be determined by the lines on the tail, which are much more intense (and there may be more of them).
Care
The care of Neolamprologus multifasciatus is similar to that of N. similis, with one exception: do not keep them with fish that are too aggressive. They are small but hunt in schools and are sensitive to their territory. It is best to leave them alone or with one larger fish, such as the aforementioned ‘frontosa’.
This applies to large aquariums, of course. The species Neolamprologus multifasciatus (as one of the smallest snails) can also be kept in a 30 litre aquarium. A pair or even a trio can live in such a small aquarium, provided of course that they have enough shells and clean water.
Of course, the bigger the aquarium, the better. An 80 litre aquarium allows you to keep several males and females. One keeper I know has a 200 litre aquarium just for specimens of Neolamprologus multifasciatus, a veritable colony (actually several!) A 400 litre aquarium full of Neolamprologus multifasciatus would be a unique habitat for the fish, but only for someone who has a strong will not to mix them with any other kind of fish.
If we provide these cichlids with sand, shells (at least two shells per fish, as many as will fit), a temperature of 25 °C, hard and clean water and good quality cichlid food, we will have almost the smallest cichlid in the world for a very long time.
Breeding
Neolamprologus multifasciatus produce only up to 20 eggs per spawning. Unlike breeders of tetras, guppies, gouramis or other large-scale species, individuals of N. multifasciatus are still relatively rare for sale. They take some time to grow up, but their parents will burden you with new batches of young until suddenly the first chick grows to 3 cm – such chicks are suitable for sale. It’s just the right amount to fill a sale, but not too many to saturate the market. It’s a fish you probably won’t get rich on, but at least it won’t be a problem to sell or otherwise dispose of. That’s all I need! Your friends will appreciate this beauty, too. Even those who aren’t into aquaristics will love them because it’s a fish that protects its young, lives in a shell, and attacks your finger!