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Name: Similis
Other Names: Big-Eyed Multi, Zebra Shelldweller
Scientific Name: Neolamprologus similis (Lamprologus similis)
Family: Cichlidae
Distribution: Lake Tanganyika, Republic of Congo
Length: 1.4”
Water Temperature: 76-78
Diet: Plankton
Water Chemistry: GH 15+, KH 6+
pH: 7.4+
Lifespan: 5 years
Species Description
This species is so named because it’s quite “similar” to the more common multi. The main differences are the color, which is reversed—the similis appears to have light stripes on a dark body, while the multi has the opposite—and the additional group of stripes on the head and neck of the similis. According to its common name, the similis also has larger eyes than the multi, but this is not readily apparent.
An attractive pink-beige fish with subtle yellows and blues in its fins, and those dashing blue eyes, the similis is an up and comer in the world of popular shelldwellers. It has a bit more attitude than the multi, happy to exclude extra males or even dominant females. It prefers pairs to trios, generally, but is still, in a larger tank, a colony fish – albeit with a bit more familial dysfunction than the multi. It has a definite attitude, betrayed well by the set of the face, which says, as many good cichlid faces do: I mean business.
The color can vary from quite pale beige with white stripes to a fairly dark brown with beige stripes. Working out “moods” based on the color changes is a fascinating pastime for the similis owner!
Species Behaviour
The slightly more aggressive edge of this species lends it a bit of extra fascination for those who want to see the behaviors aggression can bring. “Fence-building” is a common similis behavior—good fences make good neighbors, and two males coexisting in a tank will generally set themselves to making the highest mound of sand between their territories as is possible. However, even a fence may not keep a truce if one side of the divide begins to breed, so be ready as always to remove a male.
These fish can be colony builders but are less tolerant than multis. Generally it’s best to treat them as a pair fish in a smaller tank, and only keep them as a multiple-male colony in a tank of 20 gallons or more. In a much larger tank, of course, a colony can make a beautiful and fascinating display.
Natural Conditions
A Tanganyikan shelldweller, this fish is used to fairly deep shellbeds, muddy sand, and hard, basic water. Although one can maintain a pair with as few as three or four shells, this is far from ideal – by providing a full shellbed, you minimize territorial aggression, allow for a more natural range of behaviors, and get to see them dig the sand from under entire sections of shells.
Sand is not a necessity but it’s a very, very good idea. Some similis, particularly females, are not great diggers, but many are quite extreme about it, digging right down to the glass and moving all the sand away from their areas. A good crushed-coral sand can help keep the pH up, too.
Natural Range
These fish are found almost entirely within the section of the lake that borders on the Republic of Congo, and they are not currently endangered or threatened there.
Minimum recommended tank size
A pair of these fish can be kept in a tank of about 5 gallons if it has good floorspace. A 5 gallon hex just won’t cut it, but a real pair will do fine in a traditional 5 gallon. Of course, bigger is better, and 20 is a good minimum for a small colony. And of course, if you really want a sight, a 240 would make an incredible similis species tank.
Water Temperature
Similis are quite sensitive to high temperatures, although whether this is primarily based on oxygen depletion I don’t know. Keep them between 74-78 and watch out that the tank can’t overheat in the summer! If a heater breaks in a tank of Similis, they’re almost guaranteed not to make it.
Water Quality
High. They’re fairly adaptable but are from the very stable waters of Lake Tanganyika, after all. Keep pH up for good color and breeding, a stable temperature and lots of oxygen, and nitrates should stay fairly low. They won’t pop off if the pH slowly drops to 7.2 but you won’t see them at their best.
Sexing
Slightly easier in this species than some, as maturing males develop a nuchal hump that, though small, is impossible to miss. Moreover I’ve begun to notice that males (in general) have better-defined caudal stripes than females – but this is unconfirmed and should not be treated as a guarantee.
Breeding
Fairly simple. Keep the pH up and feed them well, and they’ll be fairly consistent producers of small broods of fry. 10 is a fairly normal spawn size for a mature pair; younger fish will have smaller numbers of fry. The fry feed themselves quite efficiently on scraps, but live foods and additionals are always a good idea.
Feeding
These fish are happy to accept pellets, freeze-dried foods, frozen anything – as long as it’s small enough to fit in their mouths, which are bigger than they look, they’ll give it a go. No pampering required, but it should be noted that they’re a great size to be treated with grindal worms.
Miscellaneous Info
These fish are still a fairly common import, so starting out with WC similis is just about as easy and cheap as finding aquarium-strain fish.
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