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Background
Although the petite Neolamprologus multifasciatus is a more common sight in fish stores and hobbyist tanks, another striped colony shellie worth paying attention to is Neolamprologus similis.
Named, not surprisingly, for its marked similarity to multifasciatus, similis is certainly its own fish. To begin with the physical, similis is a larger fish, reaching approximately 1.8" (4.3cm). The stripes are far lighter on a dark body, and, as the common name "Big-Eyed Multi" suggests, the eyes may be larger, though this is by no means an identifying factor. Adult similis have more blue and yellow in the fins than adult multis. More notable for differentiating the species are the stripes: those of the similis continue onto the head and neck, and farther into the tail. The multi's stripes begin behind the operculum and cease barely beyond the caudal peduncle. This multi male and similis male should show those differences, and the less qualifiable variance in body shape:
In behavior, also, similis are related but distinct. Both specie are colonial and prefer deep shellbeds, shunning or removing substrate when possible to allow fry to hide underneath and between shells. However, multifasciatus is far more tolerant of conspecifics of all ages; even in a five gallon tank, while quite cramped, the multis will colonize and be forgiving of territorial encroachment. Not so for similis; when there is not room for a colony, no more than a pair or trio should be kept, as this species can be territorially aggressive. Excessive numbers of shells and visual boundary markers can help with this but the ideal solution is a colony-size tank, 30" or longer.
Care
Like multifasciatus, similis differs in its environmental needs from most other shelldwellers. Where brevis and the ocellatus group in particular are gifted diggers, skilled at burying shells and landscaping for territorial boundaries, similis dig for one primary reason: to remove substrate from the area. There is a common belief that multis and similis love to dig, as they do it so indurstriously. However, would it follow that I enjoy doing laundry, because when I'm forced to clean my clothes I do it efficiently? The more reasonable conclusion is that the fish are doing exactly what they appear to be: removing all sand from their territory and putting it somewhere it won't get in the way, leaving new spaces under the shells for fry to hide.
So the ideal similis tank is set up the way they live in the wild: treating substrate as immaterial except to reduce glare on the bottom of the tank and creating instead massive shellpiles. This is not a fish for whom two or three shells per individual will suffice; the tank floor should be covered with them as far as is possible.
Other aspects of the tank environment are typical for most shelldwellers: a minimum of rocks, plants, and anything that might take up shell space, unless done in a way that allows for visual barriers rather than taking up space unecessarily. Good filtration and heat are a must, though like many shelldwellers similis are sensitive to depleted oxygen levels and care should be taken to ensure the fish aren't suffocated by high heat.
Unlike multis, most similis are fairly close to the lake in terms of ancestry. They can be more sensitive to water hardness and to nitrates; the former should be high, between 10 and 20 degrees, and the latter low, under 40 ppm. Acceptable hardness (or, ideally, Total Dissolved Solids, but few people have TDS meters) will be a significant factor in spawning success.
Good food is important as well. Similis is a microipredator and while happy to go after sinking pellets and even flakes, a supplement should be offered in the form of some live or frozen treat. Brine shrimp, daphnia, grindal worms, and cyclops are popular choices and none needs to be few exclusively; a mix will allow for the best growth and color.
Frequent water changes will ensure health, but be aware that a little benign neglect is often the trigger for a successful spawn. More often than not a week's vacation means a new batch of fry, though whether the parents prefer privacy or a certain kind of stability in water parameters is anyone's guess. Certainly the species has no qualms about spawning in front of the owner.
Breeding
Yet another case of "just add water." I'm not saying they're guppies, but they're pretty easy. They spawn in the shell - the female lays the eggs in there and then the male hovers with his vent over the opening and sprays milt in. Spawns are fairly small (up to about a dozen fry, usually more like 6-8) but frequent, and older siblings rarely harass younger ones. The fry feed themselves, but you can supplement however you want - microworms, bbs, crushed flake, decapsulated brine shrimp eggs, you name it. Keep the water clean and don't expect betta-style shooting growth - it may take them months to hit 1/2". Stripes don't appear on fry until they're close to an inch long; similis fry often look like young caudopunctatus more than their own parents, as with this youngster:
Of course, to breed them you have to have both sexes. As with many of the others, size is a good indicator for juveniles - males will tend to be significantly larger than females. Males often have more and better-defined tail stripes. However, in mature fish, there's an even easier "tell" - a nuchal hump. It's not exactly that giant bulbous forhead that a Midas or Front may have, but it's hard to miss once it starts developing. This male has a noticeable nuchal hump and more tail stripes:
And this female has a noticeably smoother profile and few, badly-defined tail stripes:
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Scientific name: Neolamprologus similis
Common names: Big-Eyed Multi, Zebra shelldweller
Synonyms: Lamprologus similis
Origin: Lake Tanganyika, Africa (Republic of Congo)
Niche: Bottom, shelldweller
Optimal pH: 7.6+
Optimal GH: 10-20 degrees
Optimal temperature: 75-78F (23-26C)
Adult length: 2"(5cm)
Diet: Carnivore, micropredator
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